</s>9/16/69 AIRTEL AIRMAIL - REGISTERED TO: DIRECTOR, FBI (44-38861) FROM: SAC, SAN FRANCISCO (173-65) SUBJECT: MURKIN 00: MEMPHIS Re Bureau letter, dated 9/11/69, Enclosed for the Bureau are six copies of a letter- head memorandum captioned for WAYNE L. Two copies of the letter- head memorandum are enclosed for Memphis Office. San Francisco is of the opinion that no additional investigation should be conducted in this matter in view of the fact that BORRY SEALE of the time of KING's death appeared to be involved in some type of quarrel with his attorney. 2- Bureau (Encs. 6) (RM) Memphis (44-(1987) (EnCs. 2) (AM) (RMI) 1 - San Francisco (5) 44-19/17/19, Sult. 11-6823 SCHLASZ, J.F.J.D. SEP 9/89 10-8-AMPHIS 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI and RCMP communications regarding the investigation into Martin Luther King Jr.'s (MLK) assassination and related legal proceedings involving James Earl Ray, who was convicted for the crime. The FBI Memphis office noted that no further investigation was warranted due to BORRY SEALE’s alleged involvement in a quarrel with MLK’s attorney at the time of his death. The RCMP inquiry focused on whether commendations for officers involved in the case should be published in a magazine. Legal documents include appeals by James Earl Ray’s defense team, including petitions for writs of certiorari to challenge the denial of a motion for a new trial. Defense arguments cited procedural errors, such as court handling of evidence and constitutional rights, referencing Tennessee state law and amendments. The FBI noted that only one bullet slug was recovered from MLK’s body, which could not be definitively linked to Ray’s weapon. Ray entered a guilty plea on March 10, 1969, in Shelby County, Tennessee, and was sentenced to ninety-nine years in prison. His legal team attempted to appeal the conviction, citing the death of Judge Preston W. Battle as grounds to challenge the voluntariness of his guilty plea. The State of Tennessee filed a motion to strike Ray’s petition for a new trial, which was granted by Judge Arthur C. Faquin on May 26, 1969. Ray’s subsequent appeal request was denied. The FBI monitored Ray’s legal proceedings, including a petition for certiorari filed in the Tennessee Supreme Court on October 6, 1969.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (convicted of MLK Jr.’s assassination)  
- BORRY SEALE (allegedly involved in quarrel with MLK’s attorney at time of death)  
- Judge Preston W. Battle (original trial judge who died on March 31, 1959)  
- Judge Arthur C. Faquin (denied Ray’s motion to strike and appeal request)  
- J. Clyde Mason (Assistant Attorney General, Tennessee)  
- Inspector J. A. Macauley (RCMP, Ottawa)  
- Richard J. Ryan, B. Stoner, Robert W. Hill Jr. (Ray’s attorneys)  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee (FBI and local court involvement)  
- Ottawa, Canada (RCMP inquiry)  
- Shelby County, Tennessee (criminal court proceedings)  
- Jackson, Tennessee (Tennessee Supreme Court)  

Key Events  
- March 10, 1969: James Earl Ray pleads guilty to MLK Jr.’s murder and is sentenced.  
- March 13, 1969: Ray writes a letter to Judge Lester Battle regarding his appeal.  
- May 26, 1969: Judge Arthur C. Faquin grants the State’s motion to strike Ray’s petition for new trial.  
- October 6, 1969: Ray files a petition for certiorari with the Tennessee Supreme Court.  
- FBI notes that only one bullet slug was recovered from MLK’s body and could not be definitively linked to Ray’s weapon.  
- RCMP inquiry into publishing commendations for officers involved in the case.  
- Legal appeals by Ray’s defense team challenging procedural errors and constitutional rights.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)  
- Shelby County Criminal Court, Tennessee  
- Tennessee Supreme Court  
- U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_87-01-part_7_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

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