</s>FD-302 (Rev. 4:15-64) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION 1 Date April 18, 1988

Summary  
The declassified documents include FBI and police reports from April–May 1968, primarily focusing on investigations related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. Key elements include hotel registration records for Vincent Walker (room 205) and Lawrence Rand (room 207) at the William Len Hotel, both checked in around April 1–4, 1968, and departed Memphis by taxi on April 5. Witness accounts describe two men seen in the hotel lobby: a shorter man with ash-brown hair and grey suit, and a taller man (6'2", blonde hair, ruddy complexion) who appeared anxious about racial tensions. A radio transmission rumor involving W. Eugene Smith links a white Mustang to the "wild chase" following MLK’s assassination. The FBI emphasized confidentiality in sharing information. Separate documents mention Edward L. Montedonico Jr., a Memphis resident, denying involvement in a CB radio transmission tied to the assassination, and Cordra York Sr.’s binocular sales records from York Arms Company, including shipments of 7x35 Banner binoculars on October 31, 1967. Administrative notes highlight record-keeping inconsistencies and date errors (e.g., "April 4, 1963" vs. "April 4, 1968").  

Key People  
- **Vincent Walker** (room 205 at William Len Hotel)  
- **Lawrence Rand/RAND** (room 207 at William Len Hotel)  
- **Miss Edith Brunner** (hotel clerk who reported witness accounts)  
- **W. Eugene Smith** (resident who claimed to overhear radio transmission)  
- **Franklin** (possibly a local figure linked to the radio transmission)  
- **Edward L. Montedonico Jr.** (Memphis resident involved in CB radio investigation)  
- **Cordra York Sr.** (owner of York Arms Company)  
- **Ralph Carpenter** (salesman at York Arms Company)  
- **Alberta Wallace** (witness at Crossroads Storage Company)  
- **Robert Acuff** (warehouse owner associated with Crossroads Storage Company)  
- **J. C. Lyons, Fred Brooks** (employees at Crossroads Storage Company)  

Key Locations  
- **William Len Hotel**, Memphis, Tennessee (hotel where Walker and Rand stayed)  
- **Crossroads Storage Company**, 217 South Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee  
- **417 South Main Street**, Memphis, Tennessee (location checked by police for potential threats)  
- **York Arms Company**, 162 South Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: MLK’s assassination in Memphis during protests over sanitation workers’ strikes.  
- **Hotel check-ins** for Walker and Rand (April 1–4, 1968) with departure on April 5.  
- **Witness accounts** of two men at the William Len Hotel described by Miss Edith Brunner.  
- **Radio transmission rumor** involving a white Mustang linked to the "wild chase" post-assassination.  
- **CB radio investigation** into Edward L. Montedonico Jr.’s alleged involvement (April 1968).  
- **Binocular shipment records** from York Arms Company (October 31, 1967) and subsequent sales.  
- **Police inspection** of Crossroads Storage Company’s roof on April 4, 1963 (date inconsistencies noted).  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**  
- **Crossroads Storage Company**  
- **York Arms Company**

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_74-03-part_5_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

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