</s>KC 44-780 PAGE TWO NUMBERS FOR TWO COACH TICKETS FURNISHED BY NEW YORK BOTH CONTAIN TEN DIGITS WHICH, FWA STATES IS POSSIBLY AN ERROR INASMUCH AS THEY ONLY HAVE NINE DIGITIS ON THEIR NUMBORS. EFFORTS COTINUING AT MSP TO IDENTIFY NOONEY EDEN. LOCAL LEADS CONTINUE TO BE HANDLED IMMEDIATELY. ARMED AND DANGEROUS. 2035 RILLEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The document contains FBI records from 1968 detailing investigations into James Earl Ray, a suspect in Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. Ray was incarcerated at Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) and associated with inmates like George Ben Edmonds and Jimmy Carpenter, who were also under scrutiny. FBI handwriting analysis compared "GALT" writings to Ray’s samples from MSP, suggesting possible authorship of documents. Ray was described as involved in prison drug use, theft, and alleged violence, including the killing of Black prisoners during the 1968 Memphis riots. Paul Alvin Lail, an inmate who met Ray at MSP, testified that Ray “did the killing” himself and referenced a potential connection to MLK’s assassination. The FBI sought Ray’s whereabouts, noting he may have fled to Florida or Texas and was described as armed and dangerous. Additional inquiries focused on Thomas Britton, a convicted felon incarcerated with Ray at MSP, who claimed Ray discussed an alleged organization called the “Business Men's Association” offering a reward for King’s assassination. Britton also described Ray as “money-crazy” and mentioned his derogatory reference to King as “five years past dub.” The FBI investigated Britton’s associations, including interviews with informants like Glady Key and Mame Mitchell in Alabama, who provided details about locations frequented by individuals linked to Ray. Efforts also included tracing an Indian barber named “John Ray” potentially connected to Ray in prison.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray** (suspect in MLK’s assassination; incarcerated at MSP)  
- **George Ben Edmonds** (inmate at MSP, under investigation)  
- **Jimmy Carpenter** (inmate at MSP, under investigation)  
- **Paul Alvin Lail** (inmate who met Ray at MSP and provided details about his activities)  
- **Thomas Britton** (convicted felon incarcerated with Ray at MSP; described as a loner with alcohol abuse issues)  
- **Neal Abbey** (prison kitchen supervisor, associate of Ray)  
- **Russell Lee Martin** (designated person of interest in the investigation)  
- **Glady Key** (bar operator in Alabama; interviewed regarding Ray’s presence)  
- **Mame Mitchell** (bar owner in Dora, Alabama; provided details about locations frequented by individuals linked to Ray)  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)** (Jefferson City, Missouri; site of Ray and Britton’s incarceration; location of prison-based organizations like “Cooley's Organization”)  
- **St. Louis County Jail** (location of inmate interactions)  
- **Memphis, Tennessee** (site of the 1968 riots referenced in Ray’s alleged activities)  
- **Florida** (suspected location of Ray’s flight after incarceration)  
- **Texas** (suspected location of Ray’s flight after incarceration)  
- **Jasper, Alabama** (residence of Thomas Britton and his wife)  
- **Dora, Alabama** (locations of bars frequented by individuals linked to Ray)  

Key Events  
- FBI investigation into James Earl Ray’s movements, associations, and potential involvement in MLK’s assassination.  
- Handwriting analysis linking “GALT” writings to Ray’s samples from MSP.  
- Reports of Ray’s alleged prison crimes, including drug use, theft, and violence against Black prisoners during the 1968 Memphis riots.  
- Testimony by Paul Alvin Lail about Ray’s potential role in MLK’s assassination and his derogatory reference to King.  
- FBI efforts to locate Ray, noting he may have fled to Florida or Texas and was described as armed and dangerous.  
- Investigation into Thomas Britton’s associations, including claims of Ray discussing the “Business Men's Association” and prison-based groups like “Cooley's Organization.”  
- Interviews with informants in Alabama to verify Ray’s presence and connections to criminal networks.  
- Efforts to trace an Indian barber named “John Ray” potentially linked to Ray in prison.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)** (led investigations into Ray, Britton, and associated individuals)  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)** (site of Ray’s incarceration and prison-based organizations like “Cooley's Organization”)  
- **“Cooley's Organization”** (alleged prison-based group operating within MSP; involved in illicit activities such as protection, contraband facilitation, and potential murder of prisoners)  
- **“Business Men's Association”** (alleged external organization mentioned by Britton; purportedly offered a reward for King’s assassination; details remain unverified)

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_85-01-part_2_of_4.pdf

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