</s>4:45:00 1. S. B. Bauartment of Justice DO NOT DESTROY: HISTURREY. HISTUREY. (MATERIAL MUST NOT VALUE, NATIONAL ARCHIVES) (FILED) FOR HISTORICAL FOR HISTORYICAL DO NOT DISTORIO DENDRIO LITICATION. DECLASSICATION DO NOT DISMISSED POR RLS 11/19/18 Case #639 FEDERAL BUREAU DO NOT DISTROY - PENCING LITIGATION Case # 639 FEDERAL BUREAU CASE # 1437 CASE DISTROY - PENING LITTIGATION CANTIGATION Cantigare R/S DAPER BUREAL CASE CLOSED PER BUREAY of CASE COSED PER BEREALY CASE CLOSED PEN DENTIGATION

Summary  
This document contains records related to James Earl Ray, including a letter dated October 24, 1966, attributed to him, and handwriting analysis conducted by the FBI Laboratory. The FBI concluded that questioned handwriting on items linked to Eric S. GALT was prepared by Ray. A form dated April 5, 1958, signed by a probation officer in Missouri, is also referenced. The document details Ray’s family background, including his parents James Ray and Lucille Mary Maher, siblings such as John Eugene Gayron, Jerry Raynes, Frank Delano Ryan, Melba Marie Ryan, Susan Donan, and others. It notes Ray’s criminal history, prison visits (including Missouri State Penitentiary), and associates like Billy Brown Abby and Richard Beaman at the Missouri State Penitentiary. The text also includes information about his stepmother Ruby Carpenter and uncle William E. Maher, along with their residences and statements regarding Ray’s whereabouts.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central subject; linked to handwriting analysis and prison records.  
- **Dr. Earl C. Kepler**: Recipient of a letter from Ray dated October 24, 1966.  
- **John Eugene Gayron**: Brother of Ray, associated with Ray’s incarceration and visits to Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP).  
- **Jerry Raynes**: Brother of Ray; resides in Lake Forest, Illinois, employed as a maintenance man.  
- **Frank Delano Ryan**: Brother of Ray, killed in an automobile accident in 1963.  
- **Carol Pepper**: Sister of Ray; married to Albert Pepper and owns the Grapevine Tavern in St. Louis.  
- **Ruby Carpenter**: Stepmother of Ray; resides in Quincy, Illinois; met Ray’s father in 1962.  
- **William E. Maher**: Uncle of Ray; resides in Alton, Illinois; claims last saw Ray 10–12 years prior.  

Key Locations  
- **Alton, Illinois**: Birthplace of James Earl Ray; residence of his parents and uncle William E. Maher.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Site of Ray’s incarceration; mentioned in prison records and visits by family members.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Residence of Carol Pepper and her husband Albert Pepper; location of the Grapevine Tavern.  
- **Quincy, Illinois**: Residences of Ruby Carpenter, Jerry Raynes, and others.  
- **Seagoville, Texas**: Residence of Billy Brown Abby, a prison associate of Ray.  

Key Events  
- **Handwriting analysis**: FBI Laboratory confirmed that handwriting on items attributed to Eric S. GALT was prepared by James Earl Ray.  
- **Prison incarceration**: Ray’s time at Missouri State Penitentiary; associates included Billy Brown Abby and Richard Beaman.  
- **Family relationships**: Documentation of Ray’s siblings, parents, and stepmother, including their residences and interactions with him.  
- **Legal records**: Mention of a form dated April 5, 1958, signed by a probation officer in Missouri.  

Key Organizations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Institution where Ray was incarcerated; associated with prison staff and inmates.  
- **FBI Laboratory**: Conducted handwriting analysis on documents linked to James Earl Ray.

MLK Declassified Files

44-nf-268_749669_02-03-part_1_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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