</s>FD-302 (Rev. 4:15:64) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Date 4/12/68 1 Mr. ROBERT GEIGER, 749 Dickinson, Memphis, was interviewed at the Fred P. Catts Distributing Company, Inc ., where he finished the following information: and that he advised that he is employed as a warehouseman, and that at April 4, 1968, he has been to work as a 119-9 a.m ., and left at 6:27 a.M. 1968. He has worked as a 7-9 p.m. and to go to supper at Jim's Grill, 418 South Main, and returned to work at about 5:30 p.M ., he was at the time of his Grill he to work on at about 6:30 a. m. He was at Jim’s Grill and he he could furnish no information in this matter. He did not learn that anything had happened until later at work another carriage house. He had been in the process of being attacked he looked out of the window that time and saw many police vehicles out of area. He stated while eating at Jim'S Grill Street, not does he seeing while Mustang on South Stairs to the boarding house which is adjacent to the grill. He ate to the boarding house which he had to be able to grill. alone and stated that if there were any strangers at Jims he would not have noticed them. 4/11/68 on 4/11 /68 at Memphis, M.D.99 File # ME 44-1987 - J.D-99 SA EUGENE A. MEDORI A. M.A. SA JACK D. VAHREWANNAAR EAM(s) 4/1/68 by Date dictated This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the Fbi. It has the FBI and is loaned to your agency, and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. 2015 RELEASE UNDER E.G. 14/17/16

Summary  
The document contains a compilation of FBI records and related materials from April 1968, detailing the investigation into the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968. Medical records from St. Joseph Hospital in Memphis describe King’s injuries, including a gunshot wound to the right side of his face and neck, compound fracture of the cervical vertebrae, and hemorrhage into the pleural cavity. Postmortem photographs were taken by Dr. Jerry T. Francisco, showing the entry wound, bullet path, and recovered projectile. Witness statements include Charlie Hartzell’s denial of student records linked to the case and Harry Sero’s claim of overheard discussions about targeting King in Missouri State Penitentiary. FBI documents reference interviews with individuals like Michael Steven Sloan, who reported conversations with William Frederick Tatro about a potential assassination plot involving a $20,000 reward. Gene Pearson Crawford, a hitchhiker in Memphis, was questioned regarding his diary entries and movements around the time of the assassination. The files also note unresolved questions about possible conspiracies, incomplete evidence, and gaps in witness accounts.  

Key People  
- **Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.**: Victim of the assassination on April 4, 1968.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Primary suspect convicted in 1969 for the murder.  
- **Michael Steven Sloan**: U.S. Marine Corps PFC who reported conversations with Tatroo A.W. about an assassination plot.  
- **William Frederick Tatro**: Allegedly discussed a "job" involving targeting King, including a $20,000 reward.  
- **Gene Pearson Crawford**: Hitchhiker in Memphis questioned about his diary and movements on April 4–5, 1968.  
- **Harry Sero**: Former inmate who claimed to overhear discussions about killing King in Missouri.  
- **Dr. Jerry T. Francisco**: Shelby County Medical Examiner who provided postmortem photographs.  

Key Locations  
- **St. Joseph Hospital (Memphis, Tennessee)**: Site of King’s treatment and death.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Location of interviews with Crawford, Sloan, and other witnesses.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Where Sero claimed to overhear discussions about targeting King.  
- **Little Rock, Arkansas**: Mentioned as a location where Crawford resided temporarily.  
- **Jackson, Tennessee**: Crawford’s place of birth and residence.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: Dr. King was shot and killed while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis.  
- **Medical Examination at St. Joseph Hospital**: Doctors performed emergency procedures, including a tracheotomy and resuscitation efforts, before declaring King dead at 7:05 p.m.  
- **Postmortem Photographs**: Taken by Dr. Francisco to document the bullet’s path and injury locations.  
- **Witness Interviews (April 1968)**: Conducted by Memphis Police and FBI agents, including statements from Sloan, Tatro, Crawford, and Sero.  
- **Crawford’s Diary Entries (March 25–26, 1968)**: Described as metaphorical reflections on personal struggles rather than literal threats.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews and compiled medical records for the investigation.  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Interviewed Gene Pearson Crawford and other witnesses.  
- **U.S. Marine Corps**: Michael Steven Sloan’s military affiliation; Tatroo A.W. was stationed at Millington, Tennessee.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_74-02-part_5_of_6.pdf

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