</s>PAGE TWO CO 44:4299 NAME UNKNOWN, WHICH HAD ITS HEADQUARTERS ACROSS STREET FROM KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITAL, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. HE ADDED THE SHIP, SMITH TOURIST, OPERATED IN SIXTY-FOUR BY EARL J. SMITH, INC ., NEW YORK CITY, BUT SHIP NOW OPERATED BY U.S. BULK CARRIERS, NEW YORK CITY, HE EXPLAINED EARL J. SMIT, WHO FORNELY, OPERATELY,OPERATED EARL. J. Smith, INC. ., NOW ISBRATISEN LINES, NEW York CITY. NEW YORK, CONTACT U. S. BULL CARRIER, .NEW YORK CITY ,, ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY CHIEF STEWARD ABOARD SMITH TOURSIT TOURIST DURING PERINTENT PERIOD IN SIZTYFOUR AND SET OUT LEADS TO LOCATE AND INTERVIEW TO DETERMINE IF IDENTICAL WITH GALT. IF NECESSARY, CONTACTA J. EARL JR. SMith, ISBRATSEN LINESA, IN EFFORT TO IDENITY CHIEf STEWARDR. LOS ANGELES , DISPLAY PHOTO OF GALT AT GROUP OR CULT LOCATED ACROSST STREETS FROM KAISER FUNDATION. HOSPITUAL, LOS ANGELes, CALifORNIA, IN EFFORT TO LOCALE. ARMED AND DANGEROUS. END. TSJ FBI MEMPHIS 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into potential connections between individuals associated with Continental Dance Studios in New Orleans, Memphis, and other locations, and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. John McFerren, a resident of Somerville, Tennessee, reported overhearing a conversation at LL & L Produce Company on April 4, 1968, where a heavyset white man stated, "KILL THE SOB ON THE BALCONY AND GET THE JOB DONE," and another man with a scar on his right cheek instructed him to retrieve supplies. McFerren later identified the suspect as matching a newspaper sketch of the individual who shot King. The FBI sought to identify Eric Starvo Galt through photographs, informants, and physical descriptions, though Galt was not recognized by witnesses or photographic comparisons. Investigations also focused on Continental Dance Studios' records, instructors, and associates, including Charles Hartzell, Frank Laberto, and James Latch, as potential links to the assassination. Informants provided details about Galt’s appearance, habits (e.g., smoking non-filter cigarettes), and possible connections to Memphis and New Orleans. Efforts to locate witnesses like Wanda Wilkes and verify studio records were ongoing. The FBI coordinated with local police departments and field offices in Memphis, Atlanta, Birmingham, and other locations to track Galt's movements and identify associates. In separate inquiries, the FBI examined Galt’s alleged ties to criminal networks, including burglary and drug-related activities, and his status as an "armed and dangerous" individual. No conclusive evidence was found linking Galt directly to the assassination, though his activities remained under scrutiny.  

Key People  
- **John McFerren**: Witness in Somerville, Tennessee, who overheard a conversation about the assassination of Dr. King.  
- **Eric Starvo Galt** (also known as Eric Stefan Gardener, Stevie): Suspect identified through physical descriptions and photographic comparisons.  
- **Charles Hartzell**: Former manager of Continental Dance Studios in New Orleans; provided records but denied knowledge of Galt.  
- **Frank Laberto & James Latch**: Proprietors of LL & L Produce Company, described as matching the suspect’s physical profile.  
- **Wanda Wilkes**: Informant who allegedly observed Galt with a group but could not be located.  
- **Louise Anglin**: Dance instructor at Continental Studios; potentially linked to Galt through witness accounts.  
- **Tommy Pike** (Memphis burglar), **Gordon Forbes** (charter boat business owner in Florida), **Harvey Edward Lowmeyer**, and **James Garrison** (District Attorney of Orleans Parish, Louisiana) were referenced in connection to Galt or related investigations.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of LL & L Produce Company where McFerren overheard the conversation; locations including Psycho Lounge, Manhattan Club, Chennault's Restaurant.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Home of Continental Dance Studios and associated individuals like Frank Laberto.  
- **Miami, Florida**: Residence of informant Vinsant T. CutoLO, who provided details about dance instructors and a suitcase containing photographs.  
- **Nashville, Tennessee**: Destination for the suitcase with photographs to be reviewed by investigators.  
- **San Francisco, California** (Galt’s alleged residence), **Los Angeles, California** (Kaiser Foundation Hospital, locations associated with Galt).  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: McFerren overheard a conversation at LL & L Produce Company referencing the assassination of Dr. King.  
- **April 5, 1968**: McFerren compared a newspaper sketch of the suspect to his wife’s description and identified a man from the produce company.  
- **Ongoing investigations**: FBI efforts to locate Galt, verify studio records, and interview witnesses like Hartzell, Laberto, and Anglin.  
- **Photographic analysis**: Review of photographs and composites to identify suspects linked to Continental Dance Studios.  
- **Coordination between FBI field offices**: Memphis, Atlanta, Birmingham, and others to track Galt’s movements and associate him with criminal networks.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, surveillance, and coordination with other field offices (e.g., Atlanta, Birmingham).  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Collaborated with FBI on tracking Galt’s movements.  
- **Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office** (James Garrison): Referenced in connection to Galt or related investigations.  
- **Continental Dance Studios**: Center of investigation for potential connections to the assassination through instructors, records, and associates.  
- **LL & L Produce Company**: Location where McFerren overheard the conversation about the assassination.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_63-02-part_2_of_2.pdf

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