</s>6/1/68 CODE RADIOGRAM URGENT TO: BAC, SACRAMENTO (100-427) FROM: DIRECTOR, FBI (44-38861) MURKIN RESCEL FIVE TWENTY-LIGHT LAST. IN VIEW OF DRIVER'S LICENSE PROJECT TO REVIEW DRIVER' S LICENSE IN STATE OF CALIFORNIA, YOU SHOULD NOT REVIEW ALL APPLICATIONS FOR MONTHS OF APRIL AND MAY, SIXT-SIGHT. IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR RECOMMENDATION, YOU SHOULD REVIEW UNFILED APPLICATIONS ON DAILY BASIS UNTIL EVERY APPLICATION NOW IN ARRARS IS ACCOUNTED FOR. THIS WILL BE FOR MONTES OF APRILY AND MAY. SIXTY-EIGHT AND SHOULD BE DONE AT NO COST TO BUREAU. ADVISIVE BUREAL IF REVIEW OF RECORDS INVOLVES ANY UNDUE PROBLEM OR WILL INVOLVE EXTENSIVE UTILIZATION OF PERSONNEL. AIR MAIL TO MEMPHIS. ARMED AND DANGEROUS. 1- MEMPHI(S (44)-1987) 44-10/7-1850 SEARCHED, INDE ED. SERIALIZED, F-LIED. JULIAN 4-1 F-MEMPHIS 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations in June 1968 related to potential connections between individuals and events surrounding Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination and other high-profile cases. Wade Trotter of Tennessee is noted as an unreliable informant who denied involvement in the murders of MLK or Senator Robert F. Kennedy, despite claims he had contacted Governor George Wallace and made calls to the Pentagon. The FBI concluded no further action was warranted against Trotter due to his untrustworthiness. An anonymous caller reported to authorities that someone claiming to be an escaped prisoner from Washington State Penitentiary had received payment from Gene Bass in Texas for a job involving James Earl Ray, prompting investigations into escapees and interviews with Bass. Ralph M. Carpenter, a psychiatric patient, was deemed competent by Dr. Max West, though his condition might be used as a defense in the MLK murder case. Paul Bridgeman was to be re-interviewed regarding alleged contact with James Earl Ray, supported by an affidavit from Charles Quitman Stephens. The FBI also checked laundries and dry cleaners for photos of suspects and managed case files involving serial charges and pending investigations.  

Key People  
- Wade Trotter (Tennessee): Unreliable informant who denied involvement in MLK or RFK murders.  
- Gene Bass (Texas): Alleged payer to an escaped prisoner for a job involving James Earl Ray.  
- Ralph M. Carpenter (psychiatric patient): Deemed competent by Dr. Max West, potentially relevant to MLK murder case.  
- Paul Bridgeman: Re-interviewed regarding alleged contact with James Earl Ray.  
- Charles Quitman Stephens: Provided affidavit about Paul Bridgeman’s residence.  

Key Locations  
- Montgomery County, Tennessee (Wade Trotter’s location).  
- Washington State Penitentiary (escaped prisoner mentioned in anonymous call).  
- Memphis, Tennessee (FBI operations and case management).  
- Chicago, Memphis, St. Louis (laundry/dry cleaner checks for suspect photos).  

Key Events  
- FBI investigation into Wade Trotter’s reliability and his alleged contacts with political figures.  
- Anonymous report about an escaped prisoner receiving payment from Gene Bass for a job involving James Earl Ray.  
- Re-interview of Paul Bridgeman regarding potential ties to James Earl Ray.  
- Dr. Max West’s assessment of Ralph M. Carpenter’s competency in the context of MLK murder investigation.  
- FBI efforts to track escapees from Washington State Penitentiary and verify their involvement in crimes.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Conducted investigations, managed case files, and coordinated with local law enforcement.  
- Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office: Provided information on Wade Trotter’s activities.  
- Royal Bank of Canada: Mentioned in a newsletter used by an individual for stationery, potentially linked to FBI inquiries.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_64-02-part_1_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search