</s>FD-36 (Rev. 5-22-84) FBI Date: 7-9-68 Transmit the following in PLAIN TEXT (Type in plaintext or code) TELETYPE URGENT (Priority) SPARCEL Via TELETYPE URGANT (Priorit) SPRACEL (44-38861) (44) TO: DIRECTOR (44-38861) INDEXED: MEMPHIS (44)-1987) FILED: FROM MURKIN. ON EVENING JULY EIGHT, SIXTYEIGHT, AT APPROXIMATELY ELEVEN P.M ., PATROLMAN, MEMPHIS PD, WHILE AT "GREEN BEETLE, " THREE TWO FIVE SOUTH MAIN, MEMphis, PHILIPHS, HAD INDIVIDUAL AT BAR BEEFLE." ON EVENINC JERRY EIGHT. POLICE OFFICER APPROACHED MAN AT THREE TOWE FIVE SOUTH MAINT, MEMPHS, PHAD INDICULATED AT BAR BROUGHT TO HIS ATTENTION BY MANAGER. POLICIE OFFICER APROCRATED MAN AT BAR WHO INFORMED HIM HE WAS JERMY RAY, BROTHER OF JAMES EARL RAY. REPORTEREDLY, JERKY ASKED PATRONAL HIM IF THE THOUGH JAMES GUILLY AND IF THEY WOULD EVER BRING HIM BACK TO MEMPHIES, REPORTEDLY. JERRY SAID HEY DID BRING HAD ARRIVED MEMPHES EARLIR ON AFTER- NOON JULY RIGHT AND AND WE TRYING TO FIND OFFICE TO RENT. THEY PLANNED TO SET UP COMMITTEE TO GET FUNDS FOR DEFENSE OF BROTHER. PLANED ALSO SAID THEY GOING TO HIRE ANOTHER LAWYER FROM ST. LOUIS, NAME UNKNOWN, WERE TWO AND HE AND BROTHER JOHN WERE STAYING AT LINDEN LODGE MOTEL, ROOM TWO AND TEN. MEMPHISE POLICER WHO ACCOSTED JERNY RAY NOT IN UNIFORM AND NO INFO AVAILABLE TO INDICATE JERTY RAY REALIZED THAT PERSON WITH WHOM WAS SPEAKING WAS MEMPHISH POLICEMAN. SHORTLY AFTER ABOVE CONTACT, JERSEY RAY WAS ARRESTED BY H4-19/1/87-11-11 <loc_820><loc_823><loc_650><loc_823>END PAGE ONE RGI:JBN (2) <loc_263><loc_886><loc_263><loc_900><loc_155><loc_900>CC: 1 - ST. ST. LOUS (AM) <loc_533><loc_869><loc_533><loc_885><loc_294><loc_885>BOVE BX Approved) <loc_868><loc_892><loc_892><loc_892>Approoted:<loc_130><loc_892><loc_201><loc_892>Special Adenin in Charge

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI communications and investigative activities related to James Earl Ray, suspected in the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and other cases. On August 9, 1968, District Attorney General Phil M. Camale advised Memphis authorities about threats against Don Wood, owner of Aeromarine Supply Company in Birmingham, Alabama, including a telephone call from an individual claiming to be a Black Panther seeking a sawed-off shotgun. The FBI instructed Memphis and Birmingham divisions not to conduct further investigations without Bureau guidance. References include Ray’s alleged escape from the Missouri State Penitentiary, with a map and letters provided by Shelby County Sheriff William N. Morris Jr., though some information was deemed privileged. FBI records also mention Leon William Short, linked to Ray, with arrest details in California (e.g., 1967 traffic warrants) and fingerprint data. The Memphis Division handled cases involving Ray’s movements, including his alleged activities in Kansas City, Chicago, and Merkka, with requests for detailed accounts of his prison life and escape.  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (suspected assassin of MLK Jr.)  
- Don Wood (Aeromarine Supply Company owner, recipient of threats)  
- Phil M. Camale (District Attorney General, Memphis)  
- Leon William Short (individual linked to Ray in FBI records)  
- William N. Morris Jr. (Shelby County Sheriff, provided documents on Ray’s escape)  

Key Locations:  
- Memphis, Tennessee (FBI operations, Shelby County)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (Aeromarine Supply Company, Don Wood)  
- San Bernardino, California (arrest records for Leon William Short)  
- Kansas City, Chicago, Merkka (Ray’s alleged movements post-escape)  

Key Events:  
- Threats against Don Wood, including a Black Panther-related telephone call (August 9, 1968)  
- FBI instructions to Memphis and Birmingham divisions to avoid further investigation without Bureau approval  
- Provision of documents related to Ray’s escape from Missouri State Penitentiary (map, letters, unanswered questions)  
- FBI records on Leon William Short’s arrests and fingerprint data in California (e.g., 1967 traffic warrants)  
- Requests for detailed accounts of Ray’s prison life and escape activities  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Shelby County Sheriff’s Department (Tennessee)  
- Memphis Division FBI  
- Birmingham Division FBI

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_88-05-part_2_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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