</s>12/20/68 A IRTEL TO: DIRECTOR, FBI (44-38861) FROM: SAC, MEMPHIS (44+1887) (P) MURKIN (00: Memphis) Enclosed for the Bureau are 3 copies of an order entered 12/18/68 before Judge W. PRESCK BATTLE which order appoints the Public Defender of Shelby County to represent the subject, JAMES EARL MAY. 44-1987-sub-0-88 3 - Bureau (Kncs.3) - Memphis JCHsign (5) 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI communications regarding the investigation of James Earl Ray, accused of assassinating Martin Luther King Jr. On 12/18/68, Judge W. Preston Battle appointed Shelby County Public Defender to represent Ray. In March 1969, William Bradford Huey (Hue), a journalist and informant, testified before a Shelby County Grand Jury about Ray's alleged activities, including robberies in Montreal and Acapulco, Mexico, and his flight to England after the murder. Hue claimed Ray lied about these events and that he had been involved with Ray in planning the assassination. The FBI requested investigations into potential phone calls from Acapulco and contact with Montreal police to identify robbery suspects. Hue also described Ray's movements post-murder, including stops in Birmingham, Gary, Indiana, Toronto, and London. Hue alleged Ray sought public recognition and expressed disdain for George Wallace’s political ambitions. Motions related to Ray’s trial included requests for witness subpoenas, depositions, and media access to photographs. The trial was rescheduled to April 7, 1969.  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (accused of assassinating MLK Jr.)  
- William Bradford Huey (informant/testifier)  
- Judge W. Preston Battle (presiding judge)  
- Robert Dyner (Executive Assistant Attorney General)  
- George Wallace (political figure mentioned in context)  

Key Locations:  
- Memphis, Tennessee (trial location)  
- Montreal, Canada (alleged robbery site)  
- Acapulco, Mexico (alleged travel destination)  
- Birmingham, Alabama  
- Gary, Indiana  
- Toronto, Canada  
- London, England  

Key Events:  
- Appointment of Shelby County Public Defender for Ray (12/18/68).  
- Huey’s testimony before Shelby County Grand Jury (3/4/69), leading to his arrest for contempt.  
- FBI requests to investigate Acapulco and Montreal connections, including robberies and potential conspiracies.  
- Rescheduling of Ray’s trial to April 7, 1969.  
- Motions regarding witness subpoenas, depositions, and media access to trial photographs.  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Shelby County Criminal Court  
- Tennessee State Government  
- Montreal Police Department (proposed contact for robbery investigation)

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_88-07-part_3_of_3.pdf

Document Summary

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