</s>FD. 48 (REV. 413-86) (MATERIAL MUST NOT.BE REMOVED FROM OR ADBED TO THIS FILED) FIELD OFFICE FILE FOIPA PROCESSED FEDERAL BUREAU ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED DO NOT DESTROY PENDING LITIGATION FOR HISTORICAL DECLASSIFICATION 2778 3/85 (Seriel 73/9/35)-canal 8/35-8/25/32/35. INVESTIGATION DO NOT ESTROY HISTORICAL VALUE Bureaua File Number 44-3/26/6 HIST. VALUE. NATIONAL ARCHIVES. NATIONALARCHIVES" See also No. SEE VOL 1 FOR LITUGATION Sea Nade Section CLASSIFIED INFORMATIONENO.D. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray's involvement in the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., including his petition for a trial in Tennessee and legal proceedings involving his conviction. Arthur J. Hanes, a former attorney for Ray, discussed theories implicating the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and black militant groups in the murder, though these claims were deemed inconsistent or unfounded by federal agencies. Weapons, including stolen shotguns from J.B. Woods' residence in Memphis, were linked to James Robert Blow, who was connected to transporting firearms to Memphis. The FBI sought information on allegations of conspiracies to frame Ray, dismissing claims such as Harold Weisberg's assertion that the FBI offered $25,000 for this purpose. Correspondence between federal agencies and Tennessee officials addressed legal proceedings, including requests for a certified copy of a transcript from the Bow Street Court regarding Ray’s case. Mrs. Lavina Martz claimed she overheard assassination plans, though this was not verified. The documents also reference fragmented FBI communications about investigations into weapon transportation networks linked to MLK’s assassination, mentioning individuals like John Hamilton Morris and Hanes, with some claims involving connections to the Ku Klux Klan and United Klans of America (UKA). Legal proceedings involving Ray and Morris included reversed convictions for Morris and administrative details about invoice handling. A Miami Herald article from December 28, 1969, referenced Ray’s claim of being placed in maximum security due to refusing to provide information to a state official, prompting the FBI to clarify this statement.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (accused of assassinating MLK, convicted and appealed)  
- Arthur J. Hanes (former attorney for Ray, discussed CIA and militant group theories)  
- John Hamilton Morris (alleged conspirator, later had conviction reversed)  
- James Robert Blow (linked to weapon transportation to Memphis)  
- Harold Weisberg (freelance writer alleging FBI misconduct)  
- Mrs. Lavina Martz (claimed overheard assassination plans)  
- Mrs. Annie Patterson (alleged knowledge of assassins of MLK and JFK)  
- Peter Goldman (editor of *Hewesweek Magazine*)  
- Robert De Pugh (head of Minutemen organization, mentioned in conspiracy theories)  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee (central to weapon seizures, Ray’s case, and legal proceedings)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (Hanes’ residence and legal discussions)  
- Nashville, Tennessee (Tennessee State Penitentiary, correspondence with FBI)  
- London, United Kingdom (Bow Street Court transcript referenced)  
- Leavenworth Penitentiary (Kansas)  
- Los Angeles, California (mentioned in administrative invoice details)  
- Shelby County Jail, Tennessee  
- State Prison (location unspecified)  

Key Events  
- James Earl Ray petitioned for a trial in the MLK assassination case.  
- Arthur Hanes theorized CIA and black militant groups’ involvement in the murder; these claims were dismissed as inconsistent or unfounded.  
- Weapons, including stolen shotguns from J.B. Woods’ home, were linked to Memphis-based individuals like James Robert Blow.  
- FBI investigated allegations of conspiracies to frame Ray, rejecting claims such as Harold Weisberg’s $25,000 offer assertion.  
- Correspondence between federal agencies and Tennessee officials addressed legal proceedings and evidence sharing.  
- Mrs. Lavina Martz claimed overheard assassination plans, though unverified.  
- FBI communications referenced investigations into weapon transportation networks linked to MLK’s assassination, involving individuals like John Hamilton Morris and Hanes.  
- Legal proceedings included reversed convictions for John Hamilton Morris and administrative handling of invoices (e.g., Invoice No. 2251A).  
- A Miami Herald article from December 28, 1969, referenced Ray’s claims about his incarceration conditions, prompting FBI clarification requests.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)  
- United Klans of America (UKA)  
- Minutemen organization (linked to Robert De Pugh)  
- Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms Division (ATF)  
- U.S. Department of Justice  
- Tennessee State Penitentiary  
- Shelby County Jail, Tennessee  
- Tennessee Supreme Court (handling appeals related to James Earl Ray’s case)

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_87-02-part_1_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

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