</s>FD-350 (Rev. 7-16-43) (Mount Clipping in Space Below) Ray, King Families Silent About Trial Thus far neither the family of Ray Ray Nor nor that of the late Martin Luther King has expressed his interest in the late late Luther King Jr. to the family that in the aftermath of his death. He expressed his expression of interest in the defendant's request for requests from the family to indicate page, name of in the deceased or deceased for seats in the interest trial. "We have received requests from other family of newspaper, city and state." the trial is listed to begin in Judge in Preston Battle's criminal Court Nov. 1. The Election Commission, Page 1 Criminal Court Nov ., 2. seats in the courtroom have the election Commission is al public in court for rep. rep. the new Shelby County seats at the courthouse have the election commission is in the court for Rep. 2. Memphis Holmes and 103 press per- and the election Commission in the new Sheriff's County Press-Scimitar sonnel in the courthouse per- and the day after the Nov. 5 the day after nov. 5. the public, and it is important. the murder after the first de- proved for the press section. the public. It is custom- and the murder of the slaying of Memphis, Tenn. the public is it is it. King, two brothers, the public for the first section. the King, who has two brothers. ence to the families if they would be eligible for seats In. the family's family. The father of the press is also Facilities for the Press will be his mother, so far as it. be on the first floor of the room on the First floor of his can be-determined, hard! been heard from in service! Shelby County office building. for over-the-desk work by been heard in service. Shelbys County office office building- Date: 10-30-68 Editor: Home Author: Charles H. <loc_684><loc_682>Editor: Charles I. Schneider Title: <loc_693>Character: Classification: 44-1987 <loc_725><loc_750><loc_766>Classification : 44-1967 <loc_889><loc_768>Submitting Office: Memphis Being Investigated

The declassified documents detail the legal proceedings and investigative efforts surrounding James Earl Ray’s trial for the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., primarily focusing on trial logistics, evidence collection, and attorney-client conflicts. The trial began in Memphis, Tennessee, on November 1, 1968, presided over by Judge W. Preston Battle. Key elements include the examination of a 30-caliber deer rifle found abandoned near a South Main Street hotel in Birmingham, Alabama, and FBI involvement in tracing Ray’s fingerprints. Legal documents reference state and federal authorities, including Attorney General Phil Canale, and highlight challenges such as financial disputes between Ray and his defense attorneys, including Arthur Hanes Sr., Percy Foreman, and Jerry Ray. Trial preparations involved security measures, courtroom logistics, and subpoenas for witnesses, including members of Dr. King’s family and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Some documents mention unrelated cases or individuals, such as Lee Harvey Oswald and Albert Anastasia, but these are not directly tied to MLK’s investigation. The records also reference fragmented legal discussions, incomplete arguments, and procedural delays, with some sections appearing as partial transcripts or notes rather than formal court records.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray** (defendant charged with assassinating Dr. King)  
- **Arthur Hanes Sr.** (attorney involved in the case)  
- **Percy Foreman** (defense attorney with financial disputes)  
- **Jerry Ray** (Ray’s brother, mentioned in legal conflicts)  
- **Judge W. Preston Battle** (trial presiding judge)  
- **Phil Canale** (Attorney General overseeing prosecution)  
- **J. Edgar Hoover** (FBI director referenced in discussions)  

Key Locations:  
- **Memphis, Tennessee** (location of trial proceedings)  
- **Birmingham, Alabama** (where the 30-caliber deer rifle was found)  
- **Atlanta, Georgia** (mentioned in context of legal or financial matters)  
- **Shelby County Jail** (Alabama; referenced in unrelated contexts)  

Key Events:  
- **Trial of James Earl Ray** (November 1, 1968, Memphis, Tennessee)  
- **Examination of a 30-caliber deer rifle** (linked to the investigation)  
- **FBI fingerprint analysis** (involving George Bonbone)  
- **Legal disputes over attorney fees and representation** (including Ray’s claims of financial mismanagement)  
- **Subpoenas for witnesses** (including Dr. King’s family members and SCLC representatives)  
- **Security measures** (17 patrolmen and 6 detectives assigned to ensure trial safety)  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)** (involved in evidence collection and monitoring Ray)  
- **Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)** (mentioned as a witness group)  
- **U.S. legal system** (trial procedures, courtrooms, and judicial rulings)  
- **Law firms and attorneys** (involved in the defense and prosecution of Ray)

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_73-02-part_1_of_2.pdf

Document Summary

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