</s>OFFICIAL FOAM NO. 10- UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum. TO SAC DATE: 5/6/68 S.A. JACK D. VAHRENWALD PROM: MURKIN SUBJECT: On 5/66/68, B. B. CITIZEN'S, 2006 Verdun, Memphis, Tenn. advised that he thought RUSS HODGE, a newcaster for Channel 3 in Memphis, he thought that RUSS RODGE was something to do with the assassination of MARTIN LUTHER KING. CHILDREN advised that on the evening of 4/3/68. HODGES, on his evening news program indicated that KING was staying at the Lorraine Hotel and gave the address of the motel and the number of TV. The TV station said he was on vacation, but CHILDRENS PRESES feels that HODCE have gone somewhere to receive a payoff, for some part he may have played in the killing, CHILDERS concerned with the no commission basis for decades. Belinkling HODG concerneded with the assassination, it is, just a feeling he has. 4/19/07 fiet -165 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail various investigative efforts related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on potential suspects, witness accounts, and forensic analysis. On 4/3/68, Russ Hodge, a Memphis television news anchor, mentioned King’s stay at the Lorraine Hotel, which raised suspicions despite conflicting information from the TV station. Concerns about Hodge’s possible involvement in the assassination were noted, though based on intuition rather than evidence. A fingerprint investigation in Murfreesboro revealed that local police did not maintain latent print files but directed inquiries to federal agencies like TBCI in Nashville. James Earl Ray was identified through fingerprint records and apprehended in Memphis on 5/4/68. Witness Janet Billings described a man resembling Ray at a laundry, noting his physical traits and erratic behavior. A suspect named Chris Bonnevech (phonetic) was linked to Denver and claimed ties to the Mafia, alleging involvement in King’s assassination for $20,000. The individual described tattoos, a death sign, and interactions with figures like Vernon Doyle Ellington of the United Klans of America. Another lead involved Roy Ingram, who allegedly hired a man matching Ray’s description, later found working on a farm in Oblon County. Charles Halone reported seeing someone resembling Ray at Thunderbird Lounge in 1962 but had no recent contact with him.  

Key People:  
- **Russ Hodge**: Memphis TV news anchor suspected of ties to King’s assassination due to his public remarks about King’s whereabouts.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Identified through fingerprint records, apprehended in Memphis on 5/4/68; central suspect in the investigation.  
- **Janet Billings**: Witness who reported seeing a man resembling Ray at a laundry in Memphis.  
- **Chris Bonnevech (phonetic)**: Alleged Mafia associate linked to King’s assassination through interviews with law enforcement and claims of financial incentive.  
- **Vernon Doyle Ellington**: Associated with the United Klans of America, mentioned in connection to a suspect’s alleged involvement.  
- **Roy Ingram**: Linked to hiring a man matching Ray’s description, later found working on a farm in Oblon County.  
- **Charles Halone**: Reported seeing someone resembling Ray at Thunderbird Lounge in 1962.  

Key Locations:  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Central location for the Lorraine Hotel, Thunderbird Lounge, and apprehension of James Earl Ray.  
- **Murfreesboro, Tennessee**: Site of fingerprint investigation and police processing limitations.  
- **Oblon County, Kentucky**: Farm where Roy Ingram’s hired individual was found working.  
- **Denver, Colorado**: Linked to Chris Bonnevech (phonetic) through investigative leads.  

Key Events:  
- **4/3/68**: Russ Hodge mentioned King’s stay at the Lorraine Hotel on his TV news program, sparking suspicion.  
- **5/4/68**: James Earl Ray apprehended in Memphis following fingerprint identification.  
- **Laundry sighting (date unspecified)**: Janet Billings reported a man resembling Ray at a Look’s Coin-Operated Laundry.  
- **Denver investigation (4/12/68)**: Leads connected Chris Bonnevech (phonetic) to the Mafia and alleged involvement in King’s assassination.  
- **Oblon County farm (4/25/68)**: Roy Ingram’s hired individual was located working on a farm, later incarcerated pending military return.  
- **Thunderbird Lounge sighting (1962)**: Charles Halone reported seeing someone resembling Ray at the lounge but had no recent contact with him.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Criminal Identification (FBCI)**: Involved in fingerprint analysis and processing for latent prints.  
- **United Klans of America**: Mentioned in connection to Vernon Doyle Ellington’s alleged ties to a suspect.  
- **Memphis Police Department (MPD)**: Collaborated with federal agencies on investigative leads, including the apprehension of Ray.  
- **Tennessee Department of Public Safety**: Referenced in the context of law enforcement coordination and witness accounts.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_64-04-part_7_of_7.pdf

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