</s>-12- pistol which we would show was purchased from a Walter L.e. Spain in Birmingham, Alabama, the first week in October, 1967. Also taken from the person of defendant: Tickets BIA London to Brussels BOAC London to Toronto Correspondence - Rifle Silencer Information Chief Inspector Arthur Brine would be called as a fingerprint expert with over twenty-one years experience and would testify that he accomodated Suput. Butler to the airport, took the fingerprints of this defendant and verified he was one and the same person as wanted by the United States. Chief Suput: Thomas Butler now retired after some thirty-four years with Scotland Yard would be presented to testify as to his arriving at Heathrow Airport around 1:00 p.m ., June 8, 1968, examining two passports in name of Snooya and Snyder, this pistol, verifying two prints of defendant with inspt. Brine, then confronting the defendant, cautioning him as to his rights and determining that he had no certificate for the pistol. lo would testify that after conferring with American authorities, defendant was again advised of rights and acknowledged being James Earl Ray rather than Ramon George Sneyd. From the luggage that the defendant numerous items would be introduced including: (1) Polaroid camera which fits styrofoam box from Mustard found in Atlanta. (2) This suit of clothes which Mr. J. B. Cloutier of Tip Top Tailors in Montreal Canada would testify was sold to E. Galt of 2589 Notre Dame St. on July 19, 1967. 2022 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14170

Summary:  
The document details forensic evidence and testimonies related to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on James Earl Ray as the defendant. A .30.06 Springfield caliber Remington rifle, purchased in October 1967 from Walter L.E. Spain in Birmingham, Alabama, was linked to the crime through fingerprint analysis. Chief Inspector Arthur Brine confirmed Ray’s fingerprints matched those found on the weapon and other items. Expert George G. Bonbonebrake testified that fingerprints recovered from the scene, including a rifle, scope, and beer can, were consistent with Ray’s prints. The rifle was also connected to the assassination via ballistic evidence, including a slug matching cartridges found at the scene. Clothing items, such as a Polaroid camera and suits, were traced to Eric Galt, with forensic analysis showing fibers and hair from the crime scene matched items in Ray’s possession. Ray pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in a 1969 Tennessee trial, receiving a 99-year sentence. Testimonies included Rev. Samuel B. Kyles (who witnessed the assassination), Dr. J.T. Francisco (coroner), and FBI experts confirming evidence linked Ray to the crime. The document also references FBI investigations across the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and England, leading to Ray’s arrest in London in 1968. Extradition requests for Ray were noted, with his state prison number listed as 004.  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (defendant, convicted of murder)  
- Eric Galt (linked to clothing items and documents)  
- Chief Inspector Arthur Brine (fingerprint expert)  
- George G. Bonbonebrake (FBI firearms identification expert)  
- Dr. J.T. Francisco (Shelby County coroner)  
- Rev. Samuel B. Kyles (witnessed assassination)  
- Phil M. Canale (State Attorney General, Shelby County)  

Key Locations:  
- Birmingham, Alabama (purchase of rifle, clothing items)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (trial location, Shelby County Jail)  
- London, England (Ray’s arrest)  
- Atlanta, Georgia (crime scene, evidence recovery)  
- New Orleans, Louisiana (motel registration records)  

Key Events:  
- Purchase of .30.06 Springfield rifle in Birmingham, Alabama (October 1967)  
- Forensic analysis linking Ray to the assassination via fingerprints and ballistic evidence  
- Ray’s guilty plea and 99-year sentence in Tennessee trial (March 1969)  
- FBI investigation across multiple countries leading to Ray’s arrest in London (June 1968)  
- Testimonies from witnesses, including Rev. Kyles and Dr. Francisco, confirming the assassination details  
- Extradition request for Ray to Tennessee authorities  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – conducted forensic analysis, international investigation  
- Shelby County Criminal Court, Memphis, Tennessee – trial proceedings  
- Scotland Yard – involvement in fingerprint verification  
- FBI Laboratory – hair, fiber, and firearms identification expertise

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_89-04-part_2_of_2.pdf

Document Summary

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