</s>WANTED BY WANTEED BY By Nikki Boertman Stacey Young (left) and Erika Walker, staffers at the National Civil Rights Museum, take the wraps off of case materials related to the slaying of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Local authorities have transferred custody of the materials to the museum. 2005 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14178

Summary  
The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, received custody of materials related to the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., including physical evidence and documentation from the investigation. Items transferred included James Earl Ray's rifle, binoculars, passports, a British suit, a Portuguese hotel receipt, an African airline ticket, and other personal belongings. These materials were previously held by Shelby County officials and transferred to the museum for public display and historical preservation. The museum plans to expand its facilities to accommodate additional exhibits, including replicas of documents and artifacts tied to the case. The transfer marked the formal handover of these items from local authorities to the museum, which aims to educate the public about the event and its significance.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray: Convicted for assassinating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his belongings and materials were transferred to the museum.  
- Bill Gibbons: Shelby County District Attorney General involved in the transfer process.  
- Bill Key: Shelby County Clerk who oversaw custody of materials prior to transfer.  
- Deborah M. Clubb: Reporter covering the museum's acquisition of case materials.  
- Dr. Benjamin Hooks: Museum board chairman, referenced in context of historical precautions.  

Key Locations  
- National Civil Rights Museum (Memphis, Tennessee): Primary location for housing and displaying materials related to MLK’s assassination.  
- Lorraine Motel (Memphis, Tennessee): Site of MLK’s assassination; some items tied to James Earl Ray’s stay there are displayed.  
- Shelby County Courthouse: Former custodian of case materials before transfer to the museum.  

Key Events  
- Transfer of materials from Shelby County officials to the National Civil Rights Museum in 2005 under Executive Order 14178.  
- Display of James Earl Ray’s belongings and investigative documents at the museum, including a map he used to track MLK’s movements.  
- Planning for museum expansion to include additional exhibits related to the assassination case.  
- Public access to historical records, including police reports, witness accounts, and transcripts from Ray’s trial.  

Key Organizations  
- National Civil Rights Museum: Primary institution responsible for preserving and displaying materials related to MLK’s assassination.  
- Shelby County Clerk’s Office: Former custodian of case materials before transfer.  
- Memphis Police Department: Provided investigative resources and documentation tied to the 1968 investigation.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_74-01-part_6_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

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