</s>- 21 - Investigators, upon conclusion of the interview, were given a tape of the polygrapher's comments regarding the Watson polygraph, as well as a list of those individuals in Memphis, Tennessee, who might aid us in our inquiry. Mr. Fensterwald also gave his permission for us to interview James Earl Ray, although he warned us that Ray probably would not cooperate. On July 19, 1975, investigators departed from Washington, D. C. en route to the Federal Youth Center in Ashland, Kentucky, where a number of hours were spent in interviewing Robert Byron Watson. Watson is a twenty-one year old white male, tall and slender, with a some- what effeminate appearance. The subject was initially nervous, but otherwise friendly and cooperative during the interview. When questioned specifically regarding the conversation which he allegedly overheard at Magellans, Watson repeated verbatim his written statement. However, he added that besides Adams, Purcell, Meifer, and Culley, two other men were present in the room at the time the conspiracy was discussed These he described as "Gene", a white male , middle-aged, black hair, short and pudgy, from Los Angeles: and "Frank", an elderly white male_grey hair, pocketmarked face. Watson classified all members of the group is anti-semitic and racist. While questioned extensively regarding the conspiracy allegations, Watson could furnish no additional information regarding the conversations or its principals. It was readily evident that he was much more intent upon discussing a large drug-related ring made up of federal agents and Atlanta-based narcotics figures, whom he alleged to have framed him because he wouldn't join the organi- zation. Watson professed total innocence in regards to any type of narcotics activity, although his conversation was laced with references to individuals engaged in the narcotics traffic. The DEA was the primary target for Watson's 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI investigations into allegations of a conspiracy involving the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on James Earl Ray, Robert Byron Watson, and associated figures. Watson, a former inmate at the Federal Youth Center in Ashland, Kentucky, alleged involvement in a smuggling ring linked to gold bullion, narcotics, and entities like the Great American Silver Company and The Liberty Coin Company. He claimed discussions about a conspiracy to assassinate King occurred at Magellans, a civil war artifact business, involving figures such as Jerry Adams, Harold Eugene Purcell, Bayne Culley, and William Arnette. Interviews with Ray’s attorneys, Percy Foreman and Arthur Hanes, revealed concerns about potential coercion to plead guilty. Investigators explored Ray’s movements in Canada, where he met Raoul, a drug trafficker, and his subsequent activities in Birmingham and Atlanta. Polygraph examinations of Watson, Purcell, and Culley confirmed their denials of involvement. The FBI concluded no credible evidence supported conspiracy claims, though unverified allegations about disease-based assassination methods persisted. Legal proceedings included a 1968 warrant for Ray’s arrest on conspiracy charges under 18 U.S.C. § 241, later dismissed in 1971 due to procedural issues and denied speedy trial rights.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray**: Accused of assassinating MLK; interviewed multiple times, denied involvement in a conspiracy.  
- **Robert Byron Watson**: Alleged to have overheard a conspiracy at Magellans; claimed involvement in smuggling rings and framed by authorities.  
- **Jerry Adams**: Named in Watson’s allegations; associated with Magellans and the Great American Silver Company.  
- **Harold Eugene Purcell**: Civil war artifact collector; worked at Magellans; denied discussing MLK assassination.  
- **Bayne Culley**: Civil war relic enthusiast; part of Magellans operations; alleged financial losses due to Arnette’s actions.  
- **William Arnette**: Magellan associate; denied involvement in assassination plot.  
- **Arthur Murtagh**: Retired FBI agent; claimed the investigation was a cover-up.  
- **Carl Claybourne**: Former FBI agent; concluded Ray acted alone in the assassination.  
- **Rev. Samuel B. Kyle**: Witness against Ray; allegedly linked to the assassination location.  

Key Locations:  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of MLK’s assassination; where Ray was tried and interviewed.  
- **Ashland, Kentucky**: Federal Youth Center where Watson was incarcerated.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Home to Magellans, Great American Silver Company, and key figures like Adams and Culley.  
- **Nashville, Tennessee**: Tennessee State Penitentiary where Ray was held.  
- **Montreal, Canada**: Where Ray met Raoul, a drug trafficker.  

Key Events:  
- **Interviews with Watson**: Detailed his claims about smuggling rings, conspiracy discussions at Magellans, and alleged government involvement in narcotics.  
- **Ray’s Guilty Plea**: Negotiated by attorney Percy Foreman; Ray denied knowledge of a conspiracy during trial.  
- **Investigation into Magellans**: Focus on its role as a front for smuggling and financial fraud; Purcell and Culley described the business as a failed venture.  
- **Conspiracy Theories**: Allegations involving figures like William Bremer, Bill Jackson, and FLQ members; unverified claims about disease-based assassination weapons.  
- **Polygraph Examinations**: Conducted with Watson, Purcell, and Culley to assess their involvement or knowledge of the conspiracy.  
- **Legal Proceedings**: A 1968 warrant for Ray’s arrest on conspiracy charges under 18 U.S.C. § 241 was dismissed in 1971 due to procedural violations and denied speedy trial rights.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Magellans**: Civil war artifact business linked to smuggling and financial fraud.  
- **Great American Silver Company**: Allegedly involved in gold bullion smuggling.  
- **FLQ (French Liberation of Quebec)**: Terrorist group allegedly hired to assassinate MLK, per Livingston’s claims.  
- **FBI**: Conducted investigations into Ray’s activities and the conspiracy allegations; Claybourne concluded Ray acted alone.  
- **U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama**: Handled the original charges and dismissal against Ray.  
- **U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit**: Involved in appellate review of related motions.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_87-03-part_6_of_7.pdf

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