</s>of Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR ., and as the person directly responsible for the overall supervision of this investigation, I am fully qualified to and do state that at no time did the Federal Bureau of Investigation do or any of its special Agents or other employees offer a bribe or a reward to any of any its special witness in this investigation. It is presumed that the witness STEVENS mentioned in JERRY RAY'S affidavit is CHARLES QUITMAN STEPHENS, who was a tenant in the roaming house at 423) South Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee, on the date that that at 421) MARTin LUTHR KING, JR ,, was murdered. As stated above, no person repre- senting the Federal Bureau of investigation has ever offered any bribe or reward to obtain testimony from CHARLES QUTMAN STEPHENS. 1/1/ Raul B. J. Jansan HOBERT U. JERMY J. CHARGE Special Agent of Charge Federal Bureau or Investigation Memphis. Tennessee Sworn to and subscribed before me on April 28, 1970, at Memphis, Tennessee. 10/Calibor O. HALTEN Assistant Special Agent in Charge FATNESS: Federal Bureau off Investigation Memphis ,, Tennessee ORVILLE V. JOHNSON Special Agent, FBI -2- 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The documents detail FBI investigations into the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on evidence collection, witness accounts, and administrative records. A sworn affidavit by Frank V. Hitt, FBI Special Agent in Charge (Atlanta Division), describes interviews with James D. Garner regarding Eric S. Galt’s rental at 113 14th Street N.E., Atlanta, where Galt left belongings in a storage room accessed via two doors. Garner turned over items to FBI agents for analysis. Charles Q. Stephens, a tenant at 423 South Main St., Memphis, is referenced as linked to the investigation. FD-340 forms document evidence retention, including soil samples from 418 and 422 South Main St., Memphis, and photographs of suspects or artist conceptions. Some entries note destruction of bulky exhibits by the FBI in 1991 and restrictions on autopsy photos, available only at the National Archives. Additional records include property acquired around April 1968, such as soil samples from a parking lot near Unit 34 of the Rebel Hotel in Memphis, cataloged as part of an FBI evidence inventory. These items were retained for historical value and transferred to the National Archives under Executive Order 14176. Aerial photographs, contact prints, and other crime scene evidence were submitted by agents SA Howard D. Teten and SA John O. Murphy. Chain-of-custody records span dates from 1968 to 1983, with some entries containing unclear or fragmented text likely due to transcription errors.  

Key People  
- Frank V. Hitt (FBI Special Agent in Charge, Atlanta Division)  
- James D. Garner (rooming house operator in Atlanta)  
- Eric S. Galt (tenant at 113 14th Street N.E., Atlanta)  
- Charles Q. Stephens (tenant at 423 South Main St., Memphis)  
- SA Howard D. Teten (submitted evidence)  
- SA John O. Murphy (involved in property transfer)  
- Raymond Lewis Curtis (FBI #3 016 268, Georgia State Prison)  
- Gus Joseph Prosch (FBI #655 815, suspected individual)  
- Mr. Phil I. Canale, Jr. (mentioned as a legal representative)  

Key Locations  
- 113 14th Street N.E., Atlanta, Georgia (rooming house)  
- 423 South Main St., Memphis, Tennessee (tenancy linked to MLK assassination)  
- Rebel Hotel, Memphis, Tennessee (Unit 34 parking lot)  
- 3466 Lamar Ave., Memphis, Tennessee  
- National Archives in College Park, Maryland (restricted autopsy photos)  
- Georgia State Prison Reidsville (prison records)  

Key Events  
- FBI investigation into MLK’s assassination, including interviews with witnesses and evidence collection.  
- Search of storage room at 113 14th Street N.E., Atlanta, for items left by Eric S. Galt.  
- Collection of soil samples from Rebel Hotel parking lot (April 1968) and cataloging as FBI evidence inventory.  
- Retention and destruction of bulky exhibits (e.g., soil samples, photographs) by the FBI.  
- Transfer of property to National Archives under Executive Order 14176.  
- Submission of aerial photographs, contact prints, and other crime scene evidence.  
- Restrictions on autopsy photographs due to privacy concerns.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- National Archives (College Park, Maryland)  
- U.S. Corps of Engineers (mentioned in one entry)  
- British authorities (referenced in some entries)

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_69-02-part_3_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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