</s>FD. 245 (REV. 413-60) H. S. Department of Justice (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADED TO THIS FILED DO NOT DESTROY PENDING LITIGATION FEDERAL BUREAU FIELD OFFICE FILE FEDERA PROCESSEL FEDERAL BUREAUE ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FOR HISTORICAL of DECLASSIFICATION 10-31-81 SplcK 100 INVESTIGATION DO NOT DESTROY HISTORICAL VALUE Bureau File Number 44-3P96/1 NATIONAL ARCHIVES. Volume Number: "DO NOT DESTROY: NATIONAL ACHIVES" See also No. SEE VOL 1 FOR LITUGATION See Woot Sotien 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The documents detail legal proceedings related to James Earl Ray’s trial for the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on motions filed by his defense team, challenges in obtaining evidence and witness materials, and court rulings. Ray’s attorneys, Perry Foreman and Arthur J. Hanes, sought continuance due to incomplete extradition records from London, England, and difficulties securing witness testimony. A court order allowed stipulated testimony from out-of-county witnesses to avoid transportation costs. Legal arguments emphasized procedural fairness, including the necessity of qualified court reporters for trial record-keeping. The FBI’s involvement in Memphis, Tennessee, included communications about evidence gathered during an interview at a residence in Atlanta, Georgia, where Ray was allegedly staying. Court rulings denied motions related to photographing trial proceedings for fundraising and authorizing depositions of out-of-state witnesses. Disputes over witness testimony and evidence suppression were also noted.  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (defendant in MLK assassination case)  
- Perry Foreman (defense counsel)  
- Arthur J. Hanes (former defense attorney)  
- Michael D. Bugene (attorney representing Ray during extradition hearing)  
- W. Preston Battley (judge presiding over the case)  
- Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr. (listed as a witness in depositions)  
- FBI agents (Frank Hitt, George Bonebreke)  
- Witnesses: Rev. Andrew J. Young, Dr. William Rutherford, Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr., J.D. Garner, Walter Swanson, Harry Lauf, U.L. Baker, John J. Harnesser, Peter Chorpe, C.E. Kirkpatrick, Clyde R. Manasco  

Key Locations:  
- Memphis, Tennessee (trial location)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (Hanes’ office; witnesses U.L. Baker, John J. Harnesser, Peter Chorpe, C.E. Kirkpatrick, Clyde R. Manasco)  
- London, England (extradition proceedings)  
- Atlanta, Georgia (FBI interview residence; witnesses Rev. Andrew J. Young, Dr. William Rutherford, Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr., J.D. Garner)  
- Jefferson City, Missouri (witnesses Walter Swanson, Harry Lauf)  

Key Events:  
- Motion for continuance due to incomplete evidence and witness materials  
- Extradition hearing for James Earl Ray from London to Memphis  
- Court order granting stipulation of testimony from out-of-county witnesses  
- Legal arguments over qualified court reporters for trial proceedings  
- FBI involvement in investigating Ray’s activities, including interviews at an Atlanta residence  
- Motion to authorize depositions of out-of-state witnesses denied by the court  
- Request to take photographs for fundraising purposes, denied by the court  
- Disputes over witness testimony and suppression of evidence  

Key Organizations:  
- Public Defenders’ Office (Shelby County, Tennessee)  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Memphis and Atlanta  
- Shelby County Criminal Court (Tennessee)  
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)  
- Tennessee Department of Corrections (witnesses Walter Swanson and Harry Lauf)

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_89-01-part_1_of_3.pdf

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