</s>PD-38 Rev. 7-27-76) TRANSMIT VIA: PBI PRESCEDENCE: CLASSIFICATION: Teletype Immediate TOP SECRET Paccinile Priority SECRET Airtel Routine CONFIDENTIAL BFTO CLEAR 9/5/78 TO: DIRECTOR, FBI (44-38861) Date SAC, SAN FRANCISCO (173-65) (RUC) (SQ. 4) FROM: MURKIN SUBJECT: CIVIL RIGHTS 00: MEMPHIS Enclosed for the information of the Bureau and the Memphis Division two two copies each of an FD-302 and a Police Department Intra-DORTMENTAL Memorandum reflecting contact and Interview with DORT JEAN BREHUT. San Francisco Police Depart- memphis division with DEPARTMENTAL Division Negotiation for CASTILLIO Contact with Cuban sources. No. Francisco Division, additionally negative with CASTILLO. No further investigation being conducted by San Francisco Division. UACB. 4/1/19-2/2/3 m/4/2 SARCTED 2- BUREAU (Enc.4) - Memphis (44-(1987) (Encs. 4). SEP 1978 - San Francisco (5) Approved: Transmitted (Number) (Time) Per GPO 0 | 1977 0 | 285-489 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains FBI investigative records and FD-302 forms detailing inquiries into Burgess Audie Wilson’s alleged involvement in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., his financial activities, business dealings, and interactions with law enforcement between 1968 and 1978. Key elements include Wilson’s purchase of a Bonanza aircraft (registration 144443) from Don Fisher in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1968; claims he visited Memphis, Tennessee, around the time of King’s assassination on April 4, 1968; and allegations of ties to Lou Crews and other individuals. Wilson allegedly confessed to participating in a conspiracy to kill King, citing his status as a "fall guy" and claiming he fired the shot from approximately 30 yards away using a firearm. The FBI conducted interviews with Wilson’s family members, including ex-wife Betty Lou Wade and sons Stephen and Mark Wilson, who disputed his claims of involvement. Records also reference Wilson’s alleged ownership of a jewelry store in Grandville, Missouri, and his financial connections to Johnson County Bank, Kansas. Some documents note Wilson’s surrender to FBI agents in Jackson, Mississippi, on August 21, 1978, where he admitted to being part of the plot.  

Key People  
- **Burgess Audie Wilson**: Central figure alleged to have participated in MLK Jr.’s assassination; claimed to have fired the fatal shot from a distance and described as unstable, prone to violence, and possibly insane.  
- **Don Fisher**: Owner of Fisher Sales and Services; reported selling a Bonanza aircraft to Wilson in 1968.  
- **Bob Sorrell**: Former employee at Hagler Aero Service; provided details about Wilson’s visits to Charles W. Baker Airport in Memphis.  
- **Lou Crews**: Alleged business partner of Wilson; associated with Crews Jewelers in Grandville, Missouri.  
- **Betty Lou Wade**: Ex-wife of Wilson; stated she never heard him allege involvement in King’s assassination.  
- **Stephen Wilson**: Son of Burgess Audie Wilson; claimed his father was not in Memphis at the time of the murder.  
- **Mark Wilson**: Son of Burgess Audie Wilson; corroborated Stephen’s account and described his father’s mental state.  
- **GLADDEN**: Interlocutor who engaged in conversations with Wilson, discussing his family, legal consequences, and mental state.  
- **Clabber/CLABBER** and **Laffron/LAFRON**: Mentioned as associates or relatives of Wilson; referenced in discussions about family ties and alleged actions.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of MLK Jr.’s assassination; referenced in Wilson’s alleged travel and interactions with law enforcement.  
- **Grandville, Missouri**: Location of Crews Jewelers and a jewelry store linked to Wilson.  
- **Kansas City, Missouri**: Site of Fisher Sales and Services and the State Line Airport, where Wilson allegedly purchased an aircraft.  
- **Johnson County, Kansas**: Bank associated with Wilson’s aircraft financing.  
- **Jackson, Mississippi**: Where Wilson surrendered to FBI agents on August 21, 1978.  
- **Ocean Springs, Florida**: Mentioned as a location where Wilson’s daughter resided.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: Date of MLK Jr.’s assassination; referenced in Wilson’s alleged claims of involvement.  
- **1968**: Wilson allegedly purchased a Bonanza aircraft (registration 144443) from Don Fisher in Kansas City, Missouri.  
- **1973–1978**: FBI conducted interviews with Wilson’s family members and associates to assess his potential role in the assassination.  
- **August 21, 1978**: Wilson surrendered to FBI agents in Jackson, Mississippi, claiming involvement in King’s assassination.  
- **Television sketch reference**: Wilson alleged that a televised image of him resembled the suspect in King’s murder.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into Wilson’s activities, including interviews and teletype communications.  
- **Johnson County Bank, Kansas**: Financial institution linked to Wilson’s aircraft purchase.  
- **Hagler Aero Service**: Company where Bob Sorrell worked and reported interactions with Wilson.  
- **Crews Jewelers**: Jewelry business associated with Lou Crews and potentially Wilson in Grandville, Missouri.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Administrative context for FBI involvement in civil rights cases.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_88a-02-part_4_of_6.pdf

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