</s>ME 44-1987 PG 44-578 WLC: 1gh 1 VEHICLE CHECKS The following investigation was conducted by SA JOHN B. WOODRUFF. On April 23, 1968, Mrs. BERTHA COLLINS Secretary, Communications Division, West Virginia State Police, State Capitol Building, Charleston, W.A ., made available all outgoing center from April 1, 1968. to date. They were personally checked by writer for checks made with Georgia and the following Georgia license checks were found: April 9, 1968 by Police Dept. Becky, W ., a. on 1967, Georgia Registration Nos. 69694 and 40-6033. April 19, 1968 , by State Police. Becky. W .- Va ., on 1967 Georgia Registration No. 04063. April 22, 1968 ., by Sheriff's Office, Marion County, Fairmont, W, Va . , 1968, Georgia registration 510-653. April 23, 1969, by Police Department, Wheeling, W .. a ., on 1968 Georgia Registration 6-63484. SA ROBERT D. WARDEN: On April 19, 1969. Desk Sergeant WILFRED MATHENA, Police Department, Bluefield, W ... and Sgt ., R. C. STOVER, West Virginia State Polices, Princeton, V ., A ., advised the writer to write that have reported seeing the 1955 or 1956 Dodg. in this area. On April 22, 1969 ., Desk Sergeant WilFRED MATTHENA, Police Department. Bluefield. W. A . , and SGT ., C. C ., STOVER West Virginia state Police, Princeton. W .. and Sg ., and Spt. R.C. STOVER writer writer on Georgia license plates since April 4, 1968 .. any cars with Georgia licenseplates since April 1. 1968. The following investigations was conductedby SA RAY V. SHOEMAKER: On April 25, 1968_ Detective PAUL PRICE, Auto Squad. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14/18

Summary  
The document contains FBI records detailing investigative efforts related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) and the tracking of James Earl Ray, a suspect in the case. Key elements include vehicle investigations across multiple states, including West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, focusing on stolen cars with Georgia license plates linked to Ray’s aliases, such as Ramon George Sneyd. The FBI coordinated with border authorities to monitor Ray’s movements after he fled Canada. A 1965 memo references a report by Jo Ann Raziminas in South Carolina about an alleged plot involving Bill Cassell Sr. and Jr., prompting FBI inquiries. Ray was apprehended in London, England, on June 8, 1968, with directives to discontinue active pursuit. The "MURKIN" case designation is noted in administrative records, alongside a 1976 Department of Justice task force review assessing the FBI’s investigation for transparency and potential disciplinary actions. Additional materials include cost data reports from Pittsburgh Division, photographs of suspects, and references to William Bradford Huie’s book *I Slew a Dreamer*, which implicates Ray in MLK’s assassination.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected assassin of MLK; tracked under aliases Paul Bridgmans, Ramon George Sneyd, and Alex Bormann; apprehended in London, England, on June 8, 1968.  
- **Ramon George Sneyd**: Alias used by Ray; employed as a Toronto police officer.  
- **Bill Cassell Sr./Jr.**: Mentioned in a 1965 report as potentially involved in discussions about MLK’s assassination.  
- **Jo Ann Raziminas**: Reported overhearing a conversation involving Carswell (Cassel) regarding an alleged plot against MLK.  
- **William Bradford Huie**: Author of *I Slew a Dreamer*, which implicates James Earl Ray in MLK’s assassination.  
- **George Ben Edmondson**: Former Top Ten Fugitive residing in Pittsburgh under alias Alex Bormann; expressed concerns about exposure due to Huie’s book.  
- **JAMES A. DUNN**: Attorney for George Ben Edmondson.  

Key Locations  
- **West Virginia** (Charleston, Beckley, Wheeling, etc.)  
- **Pennsylvania** (Pittsburgh, Erie, Greensburg, etc.)  
- **Georgia** (Atlanta, Augusta, Ft. Benning)  
- **Canada** (Toronto, Montreal)  
- **United Kingdom** (London)  
- **Aiken, South Carolina**: Site of the 1965 party where an alleged plot discussion occurred.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Central to initial investigation and cost data submissions.  
- **Kansas City, Missouri**: Mentioned in FBI file reviews.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Referenced in artist’s conceptions of suspects.  

Key Events  
- **April–May 1968**: FBI tracked stolen Georgia vehicles across multiple states; no recoveries reported but linked Ray to a 1966 Ford Galaxie with license plate 510-653.  
- **June 8, 1968**: James Earl Ray apprehended in London, England, ending active FBI pursuit.  
- **June 10, 1965**: Report of an alleged plot against MLK involving Bill Cassell Sr., prompting FBI investigation.  
- **Discontinuation of cost data submissions**: Memphis Division ceased monthly reports on "MURKIN" in 1968.  
- **1976 Department of Justice task force review**: Assessed FBI’s handling of the case, focusing on transparency, involvement, new evidence, and disciplinary actions.  
- **Publication of *I Slew a Dreamer***: Book by William Bradford Huie implicating Ray in MLK’s assassination; prompted concerns for George Ben Edmondson.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted vehicle checks, border surveillance, and coordinated with state police departments.  
- **Department of Justice**: Oversaw the 1976 task force review of FBI’s investigation.  
- **Office of Professional Responsibility (OPRO)**: Directed the review process under the Department of Justice.  
- **Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)**: Collaborated with the FBI in the Ray case.  
- **New Scotland Yard**: Assisted in the arrest of James Earl Ray at London’s airport.  
- **Beckley Police Department**: Involved in Georgia license plate inquiries.  
- **Toronto Police Department**: Employed Ramon George Sneyd (Ray’s alias).

MLK Declassified Files

44-pg-578_763522_02-04-part_5_of_6.pdf

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