</s>5/13/69 AIRTEL REGISTERED AIR MAIL TO: SAC, JACKSON (157-9586) FROM: SAC, SALT LAKE CITY (44-253(P) RE: MURKIN Re Jackson airtel to Memphis, dated 5/7/69, which forwarded to Salt Lake City copies of FD-3028s of H. C. FREEMAN/ and Mr. DON M. STRIKLAND. A review of these FD-302s disclosed no individuals residing within Salt LakeCity Division. Jackson is located in the original motel registrations and furnish Salt Lake city with appropriate inform- nation. Jackson 2- Memphis (44)-1987) 2- Salt Lake Cty WJG imhe (8) 4-19-1911-salt-10-561 m heilen. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The declassified FBI records from 1969 detail investigations into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on James Earl Ray, the man convicted of the crime, and his brother Jerry Ray. The documents include FBI interviews with family members of both men, including Carol Pepper (sister of Jerry Ray) and John Kay (brother of James Earl Ray), who denied knowledge of any conspiracy related to the assassination. Internal communications between the FBI and agencies in Memphis, Savannah, and St. Louis tracked James Earl Ray’s movements, such as his return to Shelby County Jail for a hearing on a new trial. The FBI also monitored Jerry Ray’s public statements, including claims he made about a potential conspiracy involving King’s murder, and warned him against speaking without consulting agents. Legal proceedings are noted, including James Earl Ray’s 1968 fugitive warrant and his ongoing trial for the assassination. The records reflect the FBI’s focus on Ray as the primary suspect while noting no evidence of broader conspiracies at the time.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Convicted killer of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., subject of FBI surveillance, legal actions, and investigations into his movements and alleged ties to informants like Robert Earl McCoy.  
- **Jerry Ray**: Brother of James Earl Ray, whose public statements about a conspiracy were investigated by the FBI.  
- **Carol Pepper**: Sister of Jerry Ray, interviewed by the FBI regarding potential involvement in the assassination.  
- **John Kay**: Brother of James Earl Ray, who denied knowledge of any conspiracy.  
- **J.B. Stoner**: Attorney for Jerry Ray, mentioned in interactions with the FBI.  
- **James Luther Bevel (JAMES L. REVEL)**: Reverend and SCLC leader who claimed knowledge about King’s assassination but refused to disclose details.  
- **Robert Earl McCoy**: Alleged informant linked to James Earl Ray, investigated for allegedly stealing recordings from Ray.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of James Earl Ray’s 1968 visit and subsequent fugitive warrant.  
- **Shelby County Jail, Tennessee**: Where James Earl Ray was held for a hearing on a new trial in 1968.  
- **Savannah and St. Louis**: Locations referenced in FBI telegrams tracking Ray’s movements.  

Key Events  
- **FBI Interviews with Family Members**: Carol Pepper and John Kay were questioned about potential involvement in the assassination, but both denied knowledge of any conspiracy.  
- **Jerry Ray’s Public Statements**: The FBI warned Jerry Ray against making public claims about a conspiracy without consulting agents.  
- **Legal Proceedings**: James Earl Ray faced a 1968 fugitive warrant for his arrest in Birmingham and was monitored during his trial for King’s assassination.  
- **Investigation of Robert Earl McCoy**: The FBI sought to retrieve recordings allegedly stolen from Ray by McCoy, who was investigated for ties to the case.  
- **FBI Surveillance of James Luther Bevel**: Bevel was interviewed multiple times regarding his knowledge of King’s assassination, though he refused to identify the killer.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Central agency conducting surveillance, interviews, and legal actions related to the investigation.  
- **Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)**: Organization associated with James Luther Bevel, who claimed knowledge about King’s assassination but refused to disclose details.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Involved in legal proceedings, including the issuance of a 1968 fugitive warrant for James Earl Ray.  

Additional Notes  
- The documents include unrelated administrative entries, such as inquiries into Aeromarine property tied to Ray and a licensing dispute involving Ed Pinaud, which were likely part of broader FBI records.  
- References to Klan activities and racial tensions are noted but not directly linked to the MLK assassination investigation.  
- Social security numbers (SSNs) present in the documents are redacted as [SSN REDACTED] to comply with declassification guidelines.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_87-01-part_3_of_7.pdf

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