</s>KC 44-760 WCM: Jrt 1 The following investigation was conducted by IC WILLIAM C. MC DONALD: AT JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI: On April 24, 1968, Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) records were April 1, 1968. information obtained. JAMES L. OWENS. The following JAMES LOMENS, MSP #010401, was received at : the MSP February 1960, from St. Louis City to serve a seven-year sentence on charge of robbery 1st by means of dangerous and deadly weapon. He was discharged on January 2, 1964. A detainer in favor of division of Supervision of Paroles, Springfield, Illinois, was filed February 23, 1960. Cell assignments: 2/3/60 3/3 /60 3 /30/60 3/30/80 B-Hall B-7 3)/30 /60 6/30-60 B-54 1/30,60 6/20/60 C-54 1/22/60 3/28/62 C-97 3/22 /62 3/24/62 C-9 OWENS is described as a white male, born at Elvis, Missouri, 5/14, 149 pounds, hair brown, eyes blue, complexion medium, build stocky, occupation barber, tattoo ship on left lower forearm. Relatives: Mother IDA OWENS, 517 5th Street, Honolulu, Hawaii Brother ERNIST OWENS'S, same address Wife BETTY OWENS', 9447 rosemary, Aunt Berkeley, Missouri ANNA MERRITT, Rural Route 1, Aunt AVIDAS, N.Y. RHONDA MERRIT, some address SEARCHED: INDEXED: SERIALIZED: INDEPENDED: MAY 1968 FB-1-MEMPHIS 4/4/19/19. Sub C. 4/21/21 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains FBI records from April 1968 related to the investigation into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Key elements include:  
- **Fingerprint analysis** of items such as a cardboard bearing "CANADA" and a California road map, which did not match James Earl Ray’s fingerprints (FBI 4465042G). References to laundry machines, serial numbers, and code comparisons are noted.  
- Investigation into **thermo-seal marking machines** in South Carolina for forensic analysis, with agents interviewing laundry and dry-cleaning operators about coded tapes involving systems like D-28-6 and 02B-6.  
- **Harold David McGee**, a suspect in Charlotte, North Carolina, was under investigation for alleged statements about MLK’s assassination. Colleagues reported he discussed the event as a "professional job."  
- **Joyce Davis** and **Barbara Sue Forbes** were mentioned as individuals who interacted with McGee; Forbes claimed he stated MLK would be killed in Charlotte or Memphis.  
- A financial transaction for hotel room rental at the Rebel Motor Hotel is noted, linked to fingerprinting efforts.  
- Correspondence between R. W.W.Cottthall and FBI Special Agent Robert Jensen referenced a $100,000 reward for information related to MLK’s assassination case. Cottthall described cryptic observations about potential conspirators, including references to "two men" in a "systematic plan" and entities like "K.I.K." and "K.I."  
- **Fingerprint submissions** from individuals such as Richard John Rayna, Richard Henry Ross, and Francis Gerard Kahl were analyzed but did not match known suspects.  

Key People  
- James L. Owens (MSP #010401)  
- James Earl Ray (FBI 4465042G)  
- Beverly Hebert  
- Bob Nelson  
- Earl Everett Ray (deceased)  
- Litwin Corporation employees (Bill Sorrells, Robert Neison)  
- Harold David McGee (suspect, Charlotte, NC)  
- Joyce Davis (Charlotte, NC)  
- Barbara Sue Forbes (Banner Elk, NC)  
- Marvin Gray (Los Angeles, CA)  
- SA Julian P. Dowling, William J. Schinner, Thomas N. Curran (FBI agents)  
- R. W.W.Cottthall (correspondence sender)  
- Robert Jensen (FBI Special Agent in Memphis, Tenn.)  
- SA William J. Downey (identified via fingerprint comparison)  

Key Locations  
- Missouri State Penitentiary (Jefferson City, Missouri)  
- St. Louis, Missouri  
- Memphis, Tennessee  
- Wichita, Kansas  
- New Orleans, Louisiana  
- Fort Smith, Arkansas  
- Columbia, South Carolina  
- Charlotte, North Carolina  
- Los Angeles, California  
- Sopchoppy, Florida  
- San Francisco, California  
- Louisville, Kentucky  
- Chicago, Illinois  

Key Events  
- Fingerprint analysis of items linked to the MLK assassination investigation (cardboard with "CANADA," California road map).  
- Examination of thermo-seal marking machines in South Carolina for forensic analysis.  
- Investigation into coded markings on laundry and dry-cleaning equipment.  
- Harold David McGee’s alleged statements about MLK’s assassination.  
- FBI efforts to track codes and verify suspects through interviews and evidence collection.  
- Submission of fingerprints and evidence (e.g., rearview mirror, documents) for FBI analysis.  
- Correspondence referencing a $100,000 reward for information related to the case.  
- Identification of latent fingerprints on items not matching known suspects (e.g., James Earl Ray).  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)  
- Litwin Corporation (Wichita, Kansas)  
- Bagraft Packing Company (McGee’s workplace)  
- KABC Radio Studios (Marvin Gray’s employment)  
- Navy Exchange Laundromat (Charleston, SC)  
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference (implied via references to MLK case)  
- Local law enforcement divisions (e.g., SACs, BACs)

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_70-06-part_5_of_5.pdf

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