</s>BALTO 03 NEWARK 02 NEW YORK 04 PHILA 02 1-37 PM LRC URGENT 6/6/68 ELR TO ALL SACS CODE FROM DIRECTOR (44-38861) 2P MURKIN FOR INFORMATION ALL OFFICES AND NOT TO BE DISCLOSED TO ANYONE OUTSIDE OF OFFICE IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THROUGH INVESTIGATION THAT SUBJECT JAMES EARL RAY RESIDED IN CANADA FROM APRIL EIGHT SIXTY-EIGHT UNTIL MAY SIXTLY-EIGHTH UNDER NAMES PAUL BRIDGMAN AND RAMON GEORGE SNEYD, SUBJECT DEPARTED CANADA FOR LONDON, ENGLAND, ON MAY SINX LAST AS SNEY AND IS BELIEVED USING CANADIAN PASSPORT IN THAT NAME. SUBJECT BELIEVEED TO BE WEARING GLASSES. IN VIEW OF ABOVE DEVELOPMENTS REVIEW OF DRIVER-S LICENSE BUREAU RECORDS AS REQUESTED IN BUREAL RADIOGRAM MAY TWENTY-ONE LAST MAY BE DISCONTINUED. OFFICES COVERING. POINTS OF ENTRANCE INTO U.S. SHOULD PLACE APPROPRIATE STOPS WITH BORDER AND CUSTOM AUTHORITIES UNDER NAME OF RAMON GEOGE SNEYO. NO INDICATION WHATSOVER END PAGE ONE 44-1605-613 SEARCHED INDEXED SERIALIZED JUN 6 1968 FIELED FBI-NEW YORK ADIC 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document details FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s movements and activities following his escape from Missouri State Penitentiary in 1967. Ray resided in Canada under aliases (Paul Bridgman, Ramon George Sneyd) until May 1968, after which he traveled to London, England, using a Canadian passport. The FBI linked Ray to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., noting his purchase of a Remington Model 760 rifle in March 1968, later found near the Lorraine Motel in Memphis on April 4, 1968. Forensic analysis confirmed the rifle’s connection to Ray and associated individuals. Eric S. Galt is implicated as a co-conspirator, with evidence suggesting his involvement in planning the attack. The FBI also investigated Galt’s movements between Birmingham, Alabama; New Orleans, Louisiana; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and Los Angeles, California, analyzing handwriting samples from financial documents, hotel registrations, and correspondence. Laundry marks linked to Galt were found at laundries in Memphis and Los Angeles, suggesting potential connections to criminal activity or surveillance. The FBI concluded Ray’s involvement in the assassination based on forensic evidence, including fingerprints, handwriting analysis, and ballistic comparisons.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected assassin; escaped Missouri State Penitentiary in 1967, resided in Canada under aliases, purchased Remington Model 760 rifle linked to MLK’s assassination.  
- **Ramon George Sneyd**: Alias used by Ray during his stay in Toronto, Canada.  
- **Eric S. Galt**: Suspected co-conspirator; investigated for movements, purchases (camera, money orders), and alleged involvement in planning the attack.  
- **W.C. Shelley**: U.S. Commissioner involved in Ray’s escape case.  
- **Joseph H. Gamble**: Special Agent in Charge, FBI.  
- **Catherine Kosters**: Bureau of Identification official.  
- **Harvey Lowever/LOWERWEER**: Purchased Remington Model 760 rifle in Birmingham, Alabama, on March 30, 1968.  
- **Jimmy Delton Garner**: Rooming house operator in Atlanta where GALT resided.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (Jefferson City, MO)**: Ray’s escape location in April 1967.  
- **Montreal, Canada**: Ray’s residence under alias Paul Bridgman.  
- **Toronto, Canada**: Residency of Ramon George Sneyd; worked for Toronto Police Department.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee (Lorraine Motel)**: Site of MLK’s assassination on April 4, 1968.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Location of rifle purchase by Lowever/LOWERWEER.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: GALT’s residences and correspondence linked to the investigation.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Abandoned Mustang found with evidence (rifle, binoculars) near Capitol Homes.  

Key Events  
- **April 23, 1967**: James Earl Ray escaped from Missouri State Penitentiary.  
- **March 30, 1968**: Harvey Lowever/LOWERWEER exchanged a .243 rifle for a Remington Model 760 and purchased ammunition.  
- **April 4, 1968**: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis.  
- **April 5, 1968**: Abandoned Mustang containing evidence (rifle, binoculars) found near Capitol Homes in Atlanta.  
- **December 14, 1967**: GALT enrolled in dance lessons at National Dance Studio; FBI linked signature to other specimens.  
- **January 20–31, 1968**: GALT rented a room at St. Francis Hotel in Los Angeles and engaged in mail forwarding services.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into Ray, Galt, and the assassination; analyzed handwriting, fingerprints, and ballistic evidence.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Site of Ray’s escape.  
- **Superior Bulk Film Company (Chicago, IL)**: Sold cameras linked to GALT’s purchases.  
- **National Dance Studio (Long Beach, CA)**: Provided dance lessons; GALT’s enrollment analyzed for handwriting consistency.  
- **Home Service Laundry & Dry Cleaning Company (Los Angeles, CA)**: Identified laundry marks linked to GALT’s abandoned clothing.  
- **Browning Manufacturing Company**: Provided rifle boxes used in transactions involving the Remington Model 760.

MLK Declassified Files

44-ny-1609_sec_005_ser_601-620-part_2_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search