</s>ME 44-1987 The subject, JAMES BARL RAY, was received at the Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP), Jefferson City, Missouri, March 17, 1960. Louis City Court to serve a sentence from 20 years. Louis city court to first degree means that a dangerous and deadly courtroom (2 counts) and for operating a motor vehicle without per- mission) all to run concurrently. to the Bakery Unit of the Food Service Department, #00416, was assigned The subject. who was MSP inmate (00416), was assigned to the 5:00 P.M. count on April 23, 1967, he was discovered Just prior missing could be on the ground, the police department, and it was fired from the bathroom of a house located at bread box being taken by open truck from the main prison to Renz about 5 miles north of the main prisoner. This method of escape has not been positively verified and remains largely a matter of conjecture. Subject, Federal assistance was requested to locate the subject, and the subject with a complaint was filed before U. S. Commissioner W. C. SHELLEY at Jefferson City. Missouri, charging the subject to the Unlawful Flight to Avoid Confinement following a conviction for robbery first degree, being in violation of ATERS 18, U.S. Code Section 1973. by SA ROWEN. On April 6, 1968, an amended complaint was filed At about 6:00 PM, on April 1, 1968. While standing on the second floor Street, Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Lorraine Motel, 406 Mulberry Street, Tennessee. Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. was struck in the house side of the face was fired near the bathroom in a rooming house located At was fired the rooming room and which a window overlooking 422 South Main Street, Memphis, which bathroom was located the spot where KING was shot. 4 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The text presents a detailed investigation into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on evidence linking James Earl Ray to the crime. Key elements include forensic analysis of physical evidence (laundry marks, fingerprints, bullet type), financial transactions tied to Ray’s movements, and connections between his alias "Eric GALT" and locations in Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Memphis. The white Mustang car abandoned in Georgia is linked to Ray via laundry codes and fibers found at the crime scene. The FBI’s investigation highlights inconsistencies in records (e.g., dates) and challenges in definitively proving Ray’s involvement through handwriting analysis or witness testimony. Ray’s criminal history, prison interactions, and alleged discussions about a $10,000 bounty for killing MLK are also detailed.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central figure; convicted of the assassination, linked to the crime via fingerprints, laundry evidence, and financial records. Mentioned discussing plans to kill MLK and referencing a bounty from "Coolley’s."  
- **Carol Pepper**: Ray’s wife, who resided in St. Louis, Missouri, and had contact with him during his incarceration.  
- **Johnny Valenti**: Inmate associated with Ray; discussed plans involving MLK’s assassination.  
- **John Larry Ray**: Ray’s brother, who visited him at the Missouri State Penitentiary multiple times, including shortly before Ray’s alleged escape.  
- **Coolley’s Organization**: Implied to offer a $10,000 bounty for MLK’s death, though its existence is unverified.  

Key Locations:  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of the assassination (April 4, 1968) and where Ray was last seen.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Laundromat linked to laundry codes found at the crime scene; Ray stayed at the St. Francis Hotel.  
- **Georgia**: Location of the abandoned white Mustang car connected to Ray via laundry evidence.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Where Ray was incarcerated and interacted with inmates like Johnny Valenti.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Home to Carol Pepper and other family members.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Mentioned as a location Ray frequented.  

Key Events:  
- **Assassination of MLK**: Occurred at the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis on April 4, 1968, using a .30 caliber Remington rifle.  
- **Laundry Evidence**: Codes from items found at the scene (e.g., "20R-3") matched laundromats and an abandoned Mustang, linking Ray to the crime.  
- **Financial Transactions**: Ray used money orders under pseudonyms to obscure his activities, analyzed by the FBI.  
- **Prison Interactions**: Ray discussed MLK’s assassination with inmates, including plans to hide in Alabama and avoid capture.  
- **Abandoned Mustang**: Found in Georgia with items tied to Ray’s movements; fibers matched those from the crime scene.  
- **Witness Testimony**: A witness identified Ray as the buyer of Bushnell binoculars used in the assassination, though their credibility was questioned.  

Key Organizations:  
- **FBI**: Conducted forensic and investigative analysis of physical evidence, financial records, and witness accounts.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Central to Ray’s incarceration and interactions with inmates.  
- **Coolley’s Organization**: Implied to be involved in offering bounties for MLK’s assassination, though not officially documented.

MLK Declassified Files

44-mi-388_749561_06-03-part_3_of_7.pdf

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