</s>DIRECTOR, FBI (44-38861) 5/6/71 SAC, KNOXVILLE (44~696) (RUC) JAMES EARL RAY, aka) DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. - VICTIM CR - CONSPIRACY; UFAC - ROBBERRY Enclosed is a clipping from The Oak Ridger newspaper dated 5/3/71, relating an escape attempt by subject. Subsequent to the publication of this Article, contact was made with Warden R. H. MOORE, Brushy Mountain prison, at which time he was furnished the following information: Warden MOORE stated that he had received info- mation from inside the prison that RAY was going to attempt to escape after "a got a visit" to Warden MOORE speciuted that "visit" was a "he code word for outcome of appeal, which appeal after "he got a visit" for Warden MOORE specioted his escape as described in the newspaper article taken from The Oak Ridge, oak Ridge, tennessee, dated 3/5/71. and that he was accomplished as another inmate by the name of MORELOCK. MOORE stated That MORELock has been assigned to inside plumbing, knew the tunnel work and also had access to tools which probably accounted for Ray's choice of MORelOCK as an escape companion. Warden Moore was specifically questioned as to whether any outside help had been utilized to attempt to perpetate RAY's escape and he was to the identity of this outside help if any. brother, name unknown, who was believed to be staying with RAY's lawyer, Mr. STONE, appeared that JAMES EARLY RAY'S around 2:00 PM, 5/31/71 , and requested to visit RAY. He was questioned by the warden as to why he had happened to be at - Bureau (Enco.) - Memphis (Enc.) -h- - Memphis [Inc.) SEMILI-S.M.MEPHIS -Memphis (Enc.) SEMI-MEMPHIS - WFEiat FEI- MEMPHIS (5) 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
This document is a collection of law enforcement records, internal FBI memos, and legal motions related to investigations into the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (April 4, 1968) and subsequent civil litigation. It includes references to James Earl Ray’s 1968 conviction for the crime, unsubstantiated allegations about a "Negro female" allegedly involved in the plot, and internal FBI communications discussing case numbers like "FD-302" and "44-1854." The text also contains legal motions filed in Shelby County Chancery Court (September 25, 1973) by Charles Q. Stephens seeking access to FBI documents, photographs, and witness statements related to the assassination. The U.S. Attorney General’s office declined to participate in the case, citing that the United States was not a party. The document highlights tensions between law enforcement agencies, civil rights advocates, and legal entities over transparency and evidence sharing.  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (convicted of assassinating Dr. King in 1968)  
- Coretta Scott King (widow of MLK; mentioned in unsubstantiated allegations)  
- Charles Q. Stephens (plaintiff in 1973 legal motion)  
- Harvey L. Gipson and Robert A. Tucker (legal representatives seeking FBI records)  
- U.S. Attorney General’s office (Memphis, Tennessee)  
- Shelby County Sheriff’s Office  
- Memphis Police Department  

Key Locations:  
- Memphis, Tennessee (Lorraine Motel where MLK was assassinated)  
- Shelby County, Tennessee (location of Chancery Court proceedings)  
- Ottawa, Canada (brief mention of RCMP involvement)  
- U.S. Attorney’s office in Memphis, Tennessee  

Key Events:  
- April 4, 1968: Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Motel  
- September 25, 1973: Filing of a motion for discovery by Charles Q. Stephens seeking FBI records  
- October 5, 1973: Scheduled hearing date for the motion in Shelby County Chancery Court  
- Ongoing investigations into MLK’s assassination by the FBI and local law enforcement agencies  
- Legal disputes over access to FBI documents and witness statements  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Memphis office  
- U.S. Department of Justice – Civil Rights Division  
- Shelby County Chancery Court, Tennessee  
- Memphis Police Department  
- Shelby County Sheriff’s Office  
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) – Ottawa, Canada

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_87-02-part_5_of_7.pdf

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