</s>FD-245 (REV. 4:13-80) H. S. s. partment of Justice (MATERIAL MUST) BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILED (MATEURAL MUST) EDUCATION NO. 4/15/20. office Hummamundum des anniss - opus DGANT DESTROY PENDING LITIGATION TELD OFFICE FILE FOIPA PROCESSED FEDERAL BUREA'J FEDERAL BUREAU'J of WDO NOT DESTROY HISTORICAL VALUE INVESTIGATION - - Volume Number: Bureau File Number N/A. 3/16/61 Bureau Fie Number: 4/4-3/16l/61. "DO NOT DESTROY: EntIRE FILE REVIEWED: Series: H: VUE, FOR HISTORIGAL H: M.I.IVES" DECLASSIFICATION - - See also Nos. I/C destroyed ALL INFORMATION CONTAINER per SAC. Startzgell ALL INFORNATION CONTAINEE MERINIS UNCLASSPIRED 10/24/41 6-7-11 AM COPIED FOR SEE INSIDE COPIES FOR FOR LITITIGATIONS ALL 20-1977 BY 1/1 See Next Section See Nent Section 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail various investigative leads related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. A postal clerk, Charles Epps Jr., reported overhearing three white clerks—J.M. Griffin, John Deal, and J.R. Scott—discussing their desire to kill MLK during a conversation at work on March 4, 1968. Epps noted Griffin may have been affiliated with the KKK after observing him inquire about a rally. Another report mentions Frank Flanagan, described as a WMA (White Male Adult), who attempted to place an ad in Memphis and expressed bitterness toward "Negros" when his ad was rejected. Latent print analysis of weapons linked to the assassination did not match known suspects, including John Willard and others. A suspicious man observed at a laundry on April 4, 1968, was described as approximately 60 years old, mulatto, with sandy hair and distinctive features. References to Eugene Mansfield in Birmingham indices include a 1961 airTEL report about an individual associated with the United Klans of America.  

Key People:  
- Charles Epps Jr. (postal clerk who overheard discussion about killing MLK)  
- J.M. Griffin (suspected KKK affiliate)  
- John Deal (clerk involved in conversation about MLK)  
- J.R. Scott (clerk involved in conversation about MLK)  
- Frank Flanagan (individual with potential anti-Negro sentiment)  
- Thelma Galin (person mentioned in context of CIA connections)  
- Eugene Mansfield (individual referenced in Birmingham indices, linked to KKK activity)  

Key Locations:  
- Memphis, Tennessee (primary location for MLK assassination investigation)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (location of related records about Eugene Mansfield)  
- Rainbow Terrace (Memphis venue for KKK rally mentioned in context of Griffin)  

Key Events:  
- Overheard conversation among clerks discussing intent to kill MLK (March 4, 1968)  
- Frank Flanagan's attempt to place an ad and his expressed bitterness toward "Negros"  
- Latent print analysis of weapons not matching known suspects  
- Observation of suspicious man at VOGUE Laundry-Cleaners on April 4, 1968  
- References to Eugene Mansfield’s alleged KKK activities in Birmingham (1961)  

Key Organizations:  
- Ku Klux Klan (KKK)  
- United Klans of America, Inc.  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Memphis Public Publishing Company (associated with Frank Flanagan's ad placement)

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_64-04-part_1_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

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