</s>OPTIONAL FORM NO. 19 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum SAC, MEMPHIS (44-1987) TO SAC_, MEMPHS (44)-2386) P DATE: 9/16/68 SUBJECT: SAC ,, ATLANTA (44 -2386] P P PERSONAL ATTENTION MURKIN (OO: MEMPHISM) BUFFLE 44-38861 MURKEN Re Memphis telephone call to Atlanta, 9/13/68. Re telephone call requested Memphis be furnished information re what evidence was sent to the Bureau from Atlanta, in this case, where the evidence is now located, and the names in this cases, where there evidence can not be tested, the evidence. and addresses of the witness who can testify re the evidence, Re the search of subject's car, Xerox copies of Atlanta letters to the FBI Lab transmitting evidence and Bureau Letters reflecting the FBI lab transmit evidence and Bureaus letters. afforded are attached. All such evidence has been retained in the FBI Lab. The search of the automobile was conducted by the FBI Laboratory. The investigation was conducted to F.MILLER, and JACK & BERVERSTEIN All are assigned to the Atlanta FBI Office, however, SA MILLER is under transfer to the Newark Office, both SA BEVERSTIN is under transferred to the Newark, orlando, both S.A.M. Miller is under transit to the Nework Office, but the FBI is undertransfer to Re search of subjects' room at 113 14th Street, NE, Atlanta, and copies of the subject's letter letter to the BBI Lab Street, NB, evidence obtained and Bureau letters reflecting receipt of the evidence and results of examination afforded the evidence are evidence and the results of the examination affording the evidence that are The search of L.K.AAS, conducted by SAS HARRY F.B.I. JOHN G. SULLIVAN, ROGER L. KAAS and JOHN ODEN. All above agents are presented as assigned to the Atlanta FBI office. Permission for presented by the FBI Office. The Department of the Bureau for EFFECTED by and entrance was created by the landlord, Mr. S.JIMMY DELLTON GARNER, 107 14th Streeet, NE. Apartment 1, Atlanta. be useful to the Attorney General of Tennessee, which will probably Atlanta, to the attorney General of Tennessee, is retained at 2-Memphis (Eac. 9) In addition, the following evidence, which wil probably 2-Memphis (Enc. 9). SEARCHED, INDEXEDED <loc_746><loc_866><loc_582><loc_865>2-Atlanta SEPT 1968 ORI-MCC

Summary  
The document consists of FBI internal records from late 1968 detailing the investigation into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on James Earl Ray, the defendant convicted in 1969. It outlines efforts to track Ray’s movements post-assassination, coordinate witness interviews across international borders, and prepare for his trial scheduled for November 12, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. Key elements include FBI coordination with Canadian, Portuguese, and Mexican authorities, challenges in securing witness testimony due to personal hardships or health issues, and logistical hurdles in cross-border legal cooperation. The text emphasizes the urgency of the trial date and the FBI’s role in gathering evidence through document analysis, fingerprint comparisons, and international witness interviews.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Convicted of MLK’s assassination; used alias "Eric S. Galt" during his escape to Mexico.  
- **Phil M. Canale**: State Attorney General of Tennessee leading the prosecution.  
- **Robert Dwyer, James Beasley, John Carlisle**: Prosecutors handling witness interviews.  
- **SA Charles S. Harding, Alan G. Sentinella, Jack T. Simpson**: FBI agents involved in investigations and coordination.  
- **Dr. Whipple**: Medical professional consulted regarding witness health risks.  
- **Antonio Rocha Fama**: Lisbon Airport passport inspector interviewed about Ray’s travel.  
- **Det. Chief Inspector Kenneth Thompson**: Scotland Yard official involved in London-based inquiries.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Trial location for James Earl Ray.  
- **Toronto, Montreal, London, Lisbon**: Sites of witness interviews and international coordination.  
- **Mexico City**: Focus of legal challenges due to Mexican authorities’ refusal to cooperate with U.S. investigators.  
- **Alabama**: Mentioned in context of driver’s license records sought by prosecutors.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis.  
- **November 12, 1968**: Scheduled trial date for James Earl Ray.  
- **Pre-trial conferences**: Planned between FBI agents and legal representatives to expedite evidence review.  
- **Witness interviews**: Conducted internationally, with challenges including personal hardships (e.g., childcare, medical conditions) and diplomatic tensions in Mexico.  
- **Legal hurdles**: Mexican authorities refused U.S. officials entry for interviews, citing sovereignty concerns.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI**: Central agency coordinating investigations, document analysis, and witness coordination across multiple offices (Memphis, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Birmingham).  
- **State Attorney General’s Office (Tennessee)**: Led prosecution efforts and subpoenaed records.  
- **Canadian Embassy**: Involved in Lisbon-based witness interviews.  
- **Scotland Yard**: Collaborated on London-based inquiries.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_84-03-part_4_of_6.pdf

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