</s>4/25/08 AIR MAIL AIRS DORESTOR, TRT (44-88001) BAC, MALAS (44 -8800) - - - - on 4/26/08, cach of the following the were the on American Airlines Flight to the airlion, the trom helen, to Philadelphia on 4//0/00 adriod the dhe dhe pouer, the lon, the to Phillephania on 4 /0/0 adriad the dre, the air, the pourer, the TAMERA VANET, 880 Gather H. Apartment 120, TAMERICA VANER, 890 Gather, Apartment 130, ALLE, CAYER, W.O.P. (4-8-0-0) AARER, C.T. (8-7/10 Pajer, R.A.C.I.E.S.) AARET, CIT, C-7-0 (4.0-00) (1-8.0) (2-8) - - (4-4-1907) SEARCHED, July 18-18-463 SEARCHING, D. FILLED, SERIALIZED, FILLDED, (4.4-100) (4A-100-1-2-0)) (2.0))(2-2) (2.1-3) (3-4) (5-6) (6-7) (7-6-1) (9-1/2) (3-3/3) (3/2/3/5) FBI - MEMPHIS 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O ., 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI and local police investigations into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on James Earl Ray as a suspect. Key elements include fingerprint analysis comparing Ray to latent prints found at the scene, evidence items such as a can of Coon Cola, a drinking glass, and a Krystal Restaurant paper bag. The FBI initially linked Eric Starvo Galt to the case but later corrected this through fingerprint comparisons, confirming Galt was not involved. Internal communications highlight discrepancies in suspect descriptions, confusion over Ray's whereabouts during the assassination, and efforts to coordinate evidence collection across multiple offices. A letter from Frank C. Holloman, Director of Memphis Fire and Police Division, addresses media statements attributed to police officers and emphasizes cooperation between local and federal agencies. The FBI also tracked Chester C. Barfield, Jr., a suspect in unrelated cases, but this appears disconnected from the MLK investigation.  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (suspect in MLK's assassination)  
- Eric Starvo Galt (initially linked to case, later ruled out via fingerprint analysis)  
- Frank C. Holloman (Memphis Police Director)  
- J. Edgar Hoover (FBI Director)  
- Chester C. Barfield, Jr. (subject of unrelated FBI investigation)  

Key Locations:  
- Memphis, Tennessee (central to the assassination and investigation)  
- Charlotte, North Carolina (FBI office involved in evidence tracking)  
- Anniston, Alabama (Barfield's alleged residence)  
- Atlanta, Georgia (linked to Ray's past activities)  

Key Events:  
- Fingerprint analysis confirming James Earl Ray as the primary suspect  
- Confusion over Eric Galt's involvement due to initial misidentification  
- Coordination of evidence collection across FBI offices and local police  
- Media coverage and public statements about the investigation, including discrepancies in suspect descriptions  
- Internal FBI communications addressing press relations and case management  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Memphis Police Department  
- Local law enforcement agencies in Charlotte, Alabama, and Georgia  
- Associated Press (media coverage of the investigation)

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_70-03-part_3_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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