</s>ASSASSINATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. Snyder says man revealed police plots to kill King By BILL HENDRICK (Blank), Lieutenant (blank), of Associate Press Writer (fier) (blank), lieutenant Rep. Gene House, R.K .- Y. (left) and President (left) (right) and president of the FOP steu. Saturday, June 22, 1963 geant (blanks), for the Fop steu- registrating an allegation from of police. A collective bar- claims several members of the of the organization for police in Luther King Jr ., Snyder said he could not di- police department of "man" and FBI of the United States. in Luther king Jr .- letter to those identity need to face to face" and that "that" said, contacted him. Snydersaid said he did not die- said, those blanks need to perced to be rational, a logical sad. This is it if it is accurate Snyder Said he received a let- to the man and listened to alligation that he made, then to the public. he said he made the alleged to- he protected the committee is say whether the man or the po- Snyder stated that the man is his department involved in the he said the man who contacted the secretary said "the man" in "Sun-Democrat"", his "man who was contacted "Asked the man contacted duties further in the letter that 'in' his "who'says," James Earl daily newspaper of copy of the tape recording. Just per said "may record, just prison in connection with the Padducah, Kentucky der said "May record, Just per said" may record, say prison in connection to the snyder said "a life term in the March 20, 1977 nerve, a fighter." tights Memphis, Tennessee, was civil "Snyder read of the letter " "man had used ""retired from "blank" police SnyderSaid said the former former- where "man in" police<loc_194><loc_675><loc_196><loc_675>"and "blank" after $500, "two occasions to kill <loc_627><loc_627>"Syrache said "The man was kill- <loc_628><loc_625><loc_628>""Retired from (blank) police " said "blanks."

Summary  
The documents detail allegations of a conspiracy involving retired Louisville police officer Clifford E. Baird and FBI agents regarding an assassination plot against Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Baird claimed he received a $500,000 bribe offer from FBI agents in Memphis, Tennessee, to kill MLK, which he allegedly recorded on tape. These claims were reportedly communicated to Rep. Gene Snyder of Kentucky in 1975, who forwarded the information to the House Assassination Committee. The FBI and Louisville Police Department are implicated in the alleged plot, with references to a "retired police officer" and "FBI agents" collaborating. James Earl Ray, convicted of MLK’s assassination in 1968, is mentioned as a central figure, though some sources suggest others may have been involved. The documents include fragmented details about interviews, committee investigations, and alleged conspiracies involving Louisville, Kentucky, and federal agencies. Some text is redacted or unclear, including potential SSNs replaced with [SSN REDACTED].  

Key People  
- **Clifford E. Baird** (retired Louisville police officer)  
- **Rep. Gene Snyder** (Kentucky congressman who received Baird’s letter)  
- **James Earl Ray** (convicted assassin of MLK, subject of House committee inquiry)  
- **Mary Baird** (wife of Clifton R. Baird, provided information on his activities)  
- **Richard A. Spague** (attorney for the assassination committee)  
- **Rep. Samuel Devine** (member of the House Assassination Committee)  
- **Rep. Louis Stokes** (Ohio representative on the committee)  

Key Locations  
- **Louisville, Kentucky** (central to allegations involving Baird, Snyder, and police departments)  
- **Memphis, Tennessee** (site of MLK’s assassination; referenced in context of FBI offers)  
- **Covington, Kentucky** (mentioned as a location for investigative activities)  
- **Washington, D.C.** (HSCA headquarters, FBI offices)  

Key Events  
- **Alleged $500,000 bribe offer**: Claims that FBI agents approached Baird in Memphis to kill MLK, with tape recordings allegedly made by a retired officer.  
- **House Assassination Committee investigation**: Received allegations from Snyder but did not confirm or deny them publicly.  
- **FBI interviews**: Attempts to question Baird and others in 1977 met with resistance, including Baird’s refusal to cooperate.  
- **James Earl Ray’s conviction**: Convicted of MLK’s assassination in 1968 and sentenced to 99 years.  
- **Administrative documents**: References to FD-36 forms, teletypes, and discussions about funding for the HSCA.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Denied involvement in the alleged bribe plot, stating no evidence supported the claims.  
- **House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA)**: Investigated allegations but did not comment publicly.  
- **Louisville Police Department**: Mentioned as part of the alleged conspiracy and investigated by committee members.  
- **Kentucky Post** and *Kentucky Messenger*: Newspapers that reported on the allegations.

MLK Declassified Files

44-ls-947_sec_006_ser_381-part_3_of_4.pdf

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