</s>4-16-69 AIRTHL TO: DIRECTOR, FBI (44-38861) FROM: SAC, MEMPHIS (44-(44-1987) MURKIN Re Memphis Airtel 4-15-69, enclosing copies of order filled in U. S. District Court, Nashville, Tennessee. For the information of the Bureau of completion of its files, there are enclosed the Xerox copies of amended petition submitted in U ., District Court; Nashville, 4/15/69. The petitioned in this section of the U.S. District Courts, Nashville/HARIS at Nashville had not served the petition on respondents as he in awaiting a correct address from ROBERT W. HILL, JR ., Attorney for the petitioner. BUREAU (End. 2) (KM) MEMPHIS BOJ:BMI (4) SEARCHED SERIALIZED Bryk B.B.B DELED FILLED 44-197-Sept-0-115 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail legal proceedings related to James Earl Ray’s trial for the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on motions to dismiss, contempt citations, evidentiary challenges, and fingerprint evidence. Key elements include:  
- A motion to dismiss filed by Percy Foreman and William Bradford Hule, arguing venue issues due to Ray’s incarceration in Tennessee prisons and lack of residency in the Middle District of Tennessee. An affidavit by Tom Y. Richardson, Tennessee State Penitentiary custodian, states Ray provided no legal residence address upon entering prison, citing only addresses of his brothers in Missouri.  
- A contempt citation against George Boneyarde (likely a misspelling of Bonebrake), a fingerprint examiner, for allegedly violating court orders by discussing the Ray trial with media. The FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office were involved in monitoring this case.  
- Fingerprint evidence linking Ray to multiple locations: prints taken by Los Angeles Police Department, Missouri State Penitentiary, and Scotland Yard were confirmed as belonging to the same individual.  
- Legal arguments over venue and jurisdiction, citing precedents such as *Nobue Hiramatsu v. Phillips* and *Shaffer v. Topper*, emphasizing that incarceration does not establish residency for venue purposes.  

The documents also include a legal petition filed by Robert W. Hill Jr. and James Earl Ray alleging fraudulent practices by Percy Foreman, including coercing Ray into signing contracts compromising his criminal defense rights and misrepresenting legal procedures to secure a guilty plea. The petition seeks injunctions against further exposure to facts surrounding King’s assassination, voidance of contracts, and relief from alleged ethical violations. It references Judge Preston Battle’s involvement in restricting public statements about the case and claims Foreman misrepresented legal procedures. FBI memos discuss legal proceedings involving Ray, including interactions with U.S. Attorney Turlington and concerns over potential charges against an individual named Bonebreaker.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Accused of assassinating MLK Jr., incarcerated in Tennessee prisons; central figure in the legal proceedings.  
- **Percy Foreman**: Defendant’s attorney, filed motions to dismiss arguing venue and jurisdictional issues; accused of ethical violations in the petition.  
- **William Bradford Hule**: Co-defendant; involved in motions to dismiss.  
- **Arthur J. Hanes**: Defendant, filed a motion to dismiss citing improper venue due to Ray’s incarceration.  
- **Tom Y. Richardson**: Tennessee State Penitentiary custodian, provided affidavit on Ray’s residency status.  
- **George Boneyarde (Bonebrake)**: FBI fingerprint examiner; subject of contempt citation for alleged media leaks.  
- **Robert W. Hill Jr.**: Petitioner’s attorney, filed legal petition against Foreman.  
- **Judge W. Preston Battle**: Tennessee Criminal Court judge presiding over the case; referenced in restrictions on public statements about the assassination.  
- **U.S. Attorney Turlington**: Involved in legal proceedings and interactions with FBI regarding Ray’s case.  

Key Locations  
- **Tennessee State Penitentiary (Nashville)**: Where Ray was incarcerated; central to residency disputes.  
- **Middle District of Tennessee (Nashville Division)**: Court where motions to dismiss were filed.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of FBI operations and legal proceedings related to the case.  
- **Shelby County Criminal Court**: Venue for Ray’s trial and related administrative offices.  

Key Events  
- **Motions to Dismiss**: Filed by Foreman, Hule, and Hanes, challenging venue and jurisdiction due to Ray’s incarceration and lack of residency in the Middle District of Tennessee.  
- **Contempt Citation Against Boneyarde**: Alleged violation of court orders by discussing the trial with media; FBI monitored this case.  
- **Fingerprint Evidence**: Confirmed Ray’s presence at multiple locations, including Los Angeles, Missouri, and London, linking him to the assassination investigation.  
- **Legal Precedents**: Cited cases like *Nobue Hiramatsu v. Phillips* and *Shaffer v. Topper* to argue that incarceration does not establish residency for venue purposes.  
- **Petition for Injunctions**: Filed by Hill Jr. and Ray, alleging fraudulent practices by Foreman, including coercing a guilty plea and misrepresenting legal procedures.  
- **FBI Memos**: Discuss legal proceedings involving Ray, interactions with U.S. Attorney Turlington, and concerns over potential charges against Bonebreaker.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Involved in monitoring the case, including Boneyarde’s activities and fingerprint evidence collection; referenced in memos discussing legal proceedings.  
- **U.S. Attorney’s Office**: Handled legal proceedings, including contempt citations and motions to dismiss.  
- **Tennessee State Courts**: Conducted trials and hearings for Ray’s murder charges, with jurisdictional disputes over venue.  
- **Shelby County Criminal Court (Tennessee)**: Venue for Ray’s trial and related administrative offices.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_89-02-part_1_of_3.pdf

Document Summary

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