</s>FD. 245 (REV. 4:15:60) H. S. Department of Justire legats legats (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILED PEND NAL. TRITATION DO NOT DESTROY, FIELD OFFICE FILE FOLIPA PROCESSED FEDERAL BUREAU of INVESTIGATION Series 1 Volume Number Bureau File Number 4/4/3/16/1 "DO NOT DISTROY: HISTORICAL VALUE, NATIONAL ARCHIVES" See also Nos. SEE VOL 1 ENTIRE AILREVIEWED FOR LITIGATIONS FOR HISTORICAL DO NOT DESTROY DECLASSIFICATION HISTONICAL VALLE- NATIONAL ACHIVES CLASSIFIED INFORMATION ENCLOSED DUER WALKER 18-3713 2023 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The documents detail FBI and RCMP investigations into the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on James Earl Ray as a suspect. Key elements include telephone number tracking linked to New Orleans and Toronto, witness interviews involving individuals such as Frank S. Brumo (New Orleans lawyer), William H. Lynch (Baton Rouge resident), and Mr. Lee (Yom Lee), an interpreter interviewed about laundry marks on clothing. RCMP records reference Ray’s alleged connections to Montreal and Toronto, including his 1967 presence at the Grey Rock hotel in Montreal and financial transactions using Canadian currency. FBI files mention coordination with RCMP for witness interviews, logistical arrangements for investigators traveling between Toronto and Montreal, and references to file numbers (e.g., 44-38861) and Executive Order 14176. A November 19, 1968, letter from Robert O. Jensen (FBI Special Agent in Charge) notes RCMP communication on the case, while hotel registration records detail Ray’s stay at the Town and Country Hotel in Ottawa during August 1967. Witness statements include Claire Keating’s passport inquiries, Yvette Charlebors’ employment as a citizenship registrar, and Ruth Chappell’s account of Ray’s behavior and travel in Ottawa. The RCMP sought information on Ray’s movements and potential ties to the murder, while FBI files reference legal proceedings involving Ray’s arrest and alleged involvement in King’s assassination.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected assassin of MLK; linked to Montreal/Toronto activities, interviewed by RCMP; referenced in phone records, hotel stays (Town and Country Hotel, Ottawa), and financial transactions.  
- **Frank S. Brumo**: Lawyer in New Orleans; listed with addresses and business details in FBI records.  
- **William H. Lynch**: Resident of Baton Rouge; mentioned in city directories and phone records.  
- **Mr. Lee (Yom Lee)**: Interpreter interviewed about laundry marks on clothing; denied familiarity with specific markings.  
- **Claire Keating**: Interviewed regarding interactions with Ray; mentioned passport inquiries and hotel stays in Ottawa.  
- **Yvette Charlebors**: Sister of Claire Keating; employed as a secretary to the Registrar of Citizenship; interviewed about Ray’s activities.  
- **Ruth Chappell**: Witness who stayed at the Town and Country Hotel in Ottawa during August 1967; provided details on Ray’s behavior and travel.  
- **Robert O. Jensen**: FBI Special Agent in Charge (Memphis office); coordinated RCMP-FBI communication on the case.  

Key Locations  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Central to phone number records and FBI investigations.  
- **Toronto, Ontario**: RCMP involvement; travel arrangements for investigators.  
- **Montreal, Quebec**: Ray’s alleged movements and hotel stays (Grey Rock Hotel).  
- **Baton Rouge, Louisiana**: Mentioned in city directories and phone records.  
- **Ottawa, Ontario**: Central to witness statements and hotel registrations; Ray’s 1967 stay at the Town and Country Hotel.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of MLK’s assassination; referenced in FBI file numbers (e.g., 44-38861).  

Key Events  
- **1967 Interactions**: Informant reported Ray’s presence at Grey Rock hotel in Montreal and financial activities using Canadian currency.  
- **RCMP Investigations**: Ongoing inquiries into Ray’s movements, including potential ties to MLK’s murder.  
- **FBI Correspondence**: RCMP provided details on the investigation to FBI in 1968; Jensen coordinated communication with District Attorney Phil M. Chnilo, Jr.  
- **August 1967 Travel**: Ray’s stay at Town and Country Hotel in Ottawa documented through hotel registration records.  
- **October 1968 Coordination**: Logistical planning for investigators departing Toronto for Montreal.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted telephone number tracking, coordinated with RCMP, and referenced legal proceedings involving Ray.  
- **Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)**: Involved in witness interviews, inter-agency communication, and inquiries into Ray’s movements.  
- **South Central Bell Telephone Company**: Provided phone records for investigation purposes.  
- **Canadian Department of Justice**: Mentioned in administrative context for legal proceedings.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_85-05-part_1_of_2.pdf

Document Summary

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