</s>FD. 248 (HEV. 4:15:00) H. S. Department of Justice Legal / Documents (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILED HOTNOT DEFROY FIELD OFFICE FIIE PENDING LIGATION FOIPA PROCESSLL FEDERAL BUREAU ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FOR HISTORICAL of ALL TEFORNATION FISH CONTAXED DECLASSIFICATION BREEZE IS UNCLASSEED 10-10-21-19-21 $1.50/K/100 INVESTIGATION Senate of Number Bureau File Number "DO NOT DESTROY: HISTORM, VALUE, NATIONAL ARCHIVES" See also Nos. SEE INSIDE FOR LITIGATION See what Section PROD. MAILER 10-27892 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail legal proceedings against James Earl Ray in the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on his trial in Shelby County, Tennessee. Key issues included motions to quash indictments due to prejudicial media coverage, including claims of a "Communist conspiracy" linked to the crime. Court orders referenced precedents like *Sheppard v. Maxwell* (1966) to address media influence on the trial. The FBI investigated Ray’s criminal history, including armed robbery and prison escapes, and tracked his movements, noting a 1966 Mustang associated with his escape. Trial logistics, such as evidence handling and dates (April 4–5, 1968), were documented. Some materials unrelated to the case, like Life Magazine articles or prison records, were excluded due to lack of direct relevance.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray** (defendant; alias J.A. Blackwell)  
- **W. Preston Battle** (Shelby County Criminal Court Judge)  
- **Hanes & Hanes** (attorneys for Ray)  
- **Charles Q. Stephens** (prosecution witness)  
- **Robert K. Dyner** (executive assistant to Shelby County AG’s office)  

Key Locations:  
- **Memphis, Tennessee** (court proceedings, FBI SAC office)  
- **Shelby County Criminal Court, Tennessee**  
- **Shelby County Jail** (Ray’s incarceration)  

Key Events:  
- Filing of motions by Ray’s attorneys to access evidence and records  
- Judge Battle denying motions to quash indictment but approving partial "Motion to Produce" for defense disclosure  
- FBI monitoring court proceedings and evidence handling  
- Investigation into Ray’s residences, movements, and potential involvement in the assassination  

Key Organizations:  
- **U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**  
- **Shelby County Criminal Court, Tennessee**  
- **State Attorney General’s Office (Tennessee)**

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_88-06-part_1_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search