</s>ot . ice that KILG was asperte I vith. The decision. to kill hita in Memphis. was a rather sudden decision. Mr. W.H.W.Y you must have a picture in your mind of what those pleniers of the assassination aro. What are they leftist, rightist, are they black, are are they white? . I don't think that I can say positively at this moment but you should bea in mind, and I'm sure that everyone who thinks about it, realizes that by April 1, 18th, 1966, there were several groups in the United States both. black and white, who had - who wanted to see violence, realcal violence, in our streets. There are several groups still do - and certainly pr. Kind knar that, I saw him something before he was necessary and I urged that he was to be more careful and of course I observed from him what everybody else did - observed in him - end never did I see a man who was more certain of his own death - of his own approaching death and this is I think that because he know how there were neverl croups that felt that perhaps violence could come as a result of his death and there were several groups who vended to see that violence, indeed who had divorced Intorest in such violence, - Purely the violence, they were not envious just to kill KILO. Jenes Fami IAY is not the type of rickal rasenalin wie 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains fragmented transcripts, administrative records, and investigative notes from Canadian and U.S. federal agencies (RCMP, FBI) regarding the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). It references James Earl Ray’s movements, hotel registrations in Mexico and Canada, interactions with journalists, and financial transactions linked to his alleged activities. Key elements include RCMP investigations into Ray’s stays at hotels in Guadalajara and Acapulco, conflicting reports on hotel records, and FBI efforts to trace connections between Ray and figures like Stanley Levison (SCLC advisor) and Malcolm Davis. The document also notes Mexican government border-crossing records, Rev. James Bevel’s claims about Ray’s innocence, and the role of the Montreal Star and LOOK magazine in prompting inquiries. Some sections reference incomplete or redacted information, including potential social security numbers.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray (RAY)**: Central figure; reported to have stayed at the Pancho Villa Hotel in Guadalajara, Mexico, during October 1967.  
- **Stanley Levison**: SCLC advisor alleged to have received a tape purportedly containing evidence about MLK’s assassination; linked to communist networks.  
- **Malcolm Davis**: Associated with Radio Jamalca and the BBC; allegedly provided a tape to Levison.  
- **Rev. James Bevel**: SCLC official who claimed Ray did not kill King and offered testimony for his defense.  
- **Victor Lloyd Bevell**: Employed at Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation in Cleveland, Ohio; dismissed in 1968 after an embezzlement investigation.  
- **Shirley Bevell**: Former Treasurer at a Federal Credit Union in Cleveland.  
- **James Luther Bevell**: Reverend associated with SCLC; brother of Victor Bevell.  
- **Otis Calvin Bevell**: Brother of Victor Bevell; employed by Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation.  
- **Malcolm Davis**: Linked to SCLC and New York residences; contact with James Butler (British Consultate).  

Key Locations  
- **Pancho Villa Hotel, Guadalajara, Mexico**: Alleged stay of Ray during October 1967; interactions reported by staff and family members.  
- **Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico**: Border crossing point noted for Ray’s departure in November 1967.  
- **Montreal, Quebec**: Central to Canadian police inquiries, including interviews at St. Jovite Station and hotel records.  
- **Acapulco, Mexico**: Hotel registrations linked to Ray; mention of the Hotel E. Luma Castillo and Pancho-Ville Motel.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Contextual location of MLK’s assassination; FBI office involved in the investigation.  
- **Cleveland, Ohio**: Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation and VA Hospital (Victor Bevell’s mental health treatment).  
- **New York City**: Malcolm Davis’s residence and SCLC connections.  

Key Events  
- **October 1967**: Ray allegedly stayed at the Pancho Villa Hotel in Guadalajara, with conflicting accounts from hotel staff and family members.  
- **November 1967**: Mexican authorities noted Ray’s car registration was canceled, indicating departure from Mexico via Tijuana.  
- **January 1969**: FBI interviewed Henry Sturm, who denied any connection to Ray or involvement in the assassination.  
- **April–December 1968**: Mexican government tracked Ray’s movements, including border crossings and car registration data.  
- **July 1, 1968**: Victor Bevell’s mental health treatment at VA Hospital Cleveland; discharged October 24–31, 1963.  
- **LOOK Magazine Article (November 1968)**: Triggered follow-up investigations into Ray’s activities in Canada and Mexico.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into Ray’s movements, SCLC connections, and potential evidence related to the assassination.  
- **Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)**: Coordinated with FBI on hotel records, border crossings, and journalistic inquiries.  
- **Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)**: Linked to figures like Rev. James Bevel and Stanley Levison; involved in efforts to defend Ray.  
- **Mexican Government**: Provided border-crossing records and car registration data to track Ray’s movements.  
- **Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation**: Employed Victor Lloyd Bevell, Otis Calvin Bevell, and James Luther Bevell.  
- **Federal Credit Union**: Shirley Bevell’s former position as Treasurer in Cleveland.  
- **Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio**: Site of Victor Bevell’s mental health treatment.  

Notes: The document contains fragmented text, potential misspellings, and references to redacted social security numbers (not included). Some sections appear administrative or form-based with minimal substantive content.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_86-05-part_3_of_5.pdf

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