</s>TP 157-5231 The laboratory is requested to compare the encloded sample of laundry tapes with the laundry tapes mentioned in referenced airtel to determine if they have been produced by the same machine. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into multiple suspects linked to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., including James Earl Ray, Hugh Hamilton Craddock Jr., John Willard, and Nicholas George Telegas. The FBI conducted fingerprint comparisons between Ray and latent prints recovered from Memphis, Tennessee, in April 1968, though no conclusive matches were confirmed. Ray’s incarceration at the Missouri State Penitentiary from 1960–1968 is documented, along with money orders sent to him from 1963 to 1997. A death certificate for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., dated April 25, 1968, was transmitted via FBI teletype. Craddock, a former Marine, was questioned regarding alleged theft of an M-14 rifle at Camp Lejeune in 1966 and claims of planning the assassination; his movements in early 1968 were tracked, including visits to Atlanta and Charleston, South Carolina. Willard, an attorney in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was noted for racist remarks and alleged connections to a wanted killer of MLK, though no direct evidence tied him to the crime. Telegas, arrested in 1967 for expressing intent to kill King during a speech, was monitored after returning from Florida in 1968, with his activities in Orlando linked to a family he stayed with. The FBI also interviewed ORLAN EUGENE ROSE, an inmate who claimed to have met Ray in 1955 while incarcerated in Kansas City, Missouri, and noted references to Norm Perry as a possible look-alike for Ray.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspect in MLK’s assassination; incarcerated at Missouri State Penitentiary (1960–1968), received money orders from 1963 to 1997, and was the subject of fingerprint comparisons in Memphis.  
- **Hugh Hamilton Craddock Jr.**: Former Marine accused of stealing an M-14 rifle at Camp Lejeune (1966); alleged confession to planning King’s assassination; tracked in Atlanta and Charleston, South Carolina in March 1968.  
- **John Willard**: Attorney in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; described as racist and alcoholic; linked to a newspaper sketch of MLK’s killer.  
- **Nicholas George Telegas**: Arrested in 1967 for expressing intent to kill King during a speech; monitored after returning from Florida (1968) with connections to Orlando.  
- **ORLAN EUGENE ROSE**: Missouri State Penitentiary inmate who met Ray in 1955; described Ray as having no criminal history or violent tendencies.  
- **Norm Perry**: Individual with a physical description matching Ray; referenced in FBI communications but lacking conclusive ties to the assassination case.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Central to fingerprint comparisons and evidence recovery related to James Earl Ray.  
- **Charleston, South Carolina**: Craddock’s residence and workplace; site of Camp Lejeune where he allegedly stole an M-14 rifle.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Craddock’s travel route in March 1968; location of Howard Johnson Motel.  
- **Orlando, Florida**: Telegas’ temporary residence after returning from Florida; home of Fred Kennemeyer, manager of XYZ Trailer Sales.  
- **Myrtle Beach, South Carolina**: Willard’s residence and workplace; site of police investigation into his activities.  
- **Kansas City, Missouri**: Site of Ray’s alleged 1955 incarceration.  
- **Jefferson City, Missouri**: Location of the Missouri State Penitentiary where Ray was incarcerated.  

Key Events  
- **April 1968**: FBI fingerprint analysis of items linked to James Earl Ray in Memphis; interviews with ORLAN EUGENE ROSE and Norm Perry.  
- **July 1967**: Nicholas George Telegas’ arrest for expressing intent to kill MLK during a speech in Charleston; subsequent monitoring of his whereabouts.  
- **April 1968**: FBI investigations into Craddock’s movements, including interviews with coworkers and family members.  
- **Transmission of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s death certificate** via FBI teletype on April 25, 1968.  
- **Houston FBI investigation**: No evidence found that Ray attended a dancing school in the area.  
- **Anonymous article**: Circulated alleging Ray’s guilt in MLK’s assassination, though author expressed doubt about his culpability.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted fingerprint comparisons, surveillance, and interviews on suspects; transmitted MLK’s death certificate via teletype.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Site of James Earl Ray’s incarceration from 1960–1968; housed ORLAN EUGENE ROSE during his imprisonment.  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Provided evidence recovered from locations linked to suspects.  
- **Shelby County Health Department**: Referenced in transmission of MLK’s death certificate.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_70-03-part_2_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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