</s>LS 44-947 her about her decision about noon, April 4, 1968. - Shortly after Dr. KING: left Room 201, Mrs. Ward joined Mrs. DAVIS in Room 201 where they left room 201, Ms. Ward versed Mrs. Davis in Room 301 where they have coffee and con- or 1:30 until about noon when Mrs. WARD left. About 1 p.m. DAVIS that he needed to relax and relax a short while and left Room 306 so as not to be bothered unless important matters from Room 201 to be a short room 306 and spoke occurred. From Room 201 when King was a short time ago and spoke informed Rev. LES he did not want to be disturbed unless it was an important matter. While in Room 204 on this occasion Mrs. it was as important matter, While in room 201 on this occasion DAVIS recalls that Dr. King phone had a call to New York, DORA McDONALD, in Atlanta, Georgia, and also made a call by New York. Identity of person called not specifically remembered by Mrs. DORa McDONALD, but in person called Not specifically remembered. By Mrs. David, but Unknown WACHTEL (phonetic) (photonetic) speak of these individuals) Thereafter as Dr. K. King was just dialing his mother in Atlanta. Georgia, Rev. A.D. WILLIAMS KING came into Room 201 and Dr.KING and Rev. D.D ., WILLIAMAS KING came with. their and Dr ., KING and Rev ., and WILLIANS KING conversed with. minutes later Rev. ABERTHONY and LEE came to Room 201 and Mrs. DAVIS then phone Mrs. AND and invited her to Room 301. Mrs. WARD did come to Room 2001. Shortly after Mrs. WARD's arrival in Room 207, Mrs ., Mrs .. WARD left to pick up some cleaning for Mrs. DAYS at a laundry and dry clothes to pick some cleaning Mrs.DAVIS at a Beach. and Third Streets in Memphis. Mrs." WARD was taken at the clean- ing to this location earlier on April 4. 1964, for Mrs.'s. Davis. probably about 10 a.m ., as Mrs. DAVIS recalls, she had been accompanied that 10 a m. and as Mr. Davis recalls, K.W. KING. During the absence of Mrs.WARD from Room 201. CHAUUNCEY Excession of Mrs .- WARD from Room 207. ANDREW YOUNG, came to To Room 201 ., Mr. WORD returned from Room 204. to the laundry very shortly thereafter, making a total of eight individuals in the room. Mrs .: Mrs. WASD returned from her visit eight individuals to the above eight individuals announced that he was going to dinner at the home of Rev. Billy KYLES in Memphis and he invited Mrs. ., DAVIS to join him for dinner <loc_481><loc_840><loc_481><loc_854><loc_147><loc_855>at the Reverend's home. She advised him that she would need <loc_856><loc_147><loc_857>23

Summary  
The documents detail witness accounts and investigative records related to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. Key events include the location of his body near Room 306 at the Lorraine Motel, the direction of the fatal shot consistent with the motel’s layout, and observations of vehicles and individuals around Jim’s Grill (418 South Main Street). Witnesses such as Reverend KYLES, Charles Ballard, James Elmore Phillips Jr., David Wood, Kenneth Foster, and Steven Cupples provided descriptions of parking arrangements, law enforcement interactions, and lack of suspicious activity. The FBI compiled these testimonies to reconstruct the scene and investigate potential suspects, including Gene Pearson Crawford (arrested but exonerated). Medical records from St. Joseph Hospital describe King’s injuries, emergency treatment, and subsequent death.  

Key People  
- **Reverend KYLES**: Witnessed MLK’s assassination, described the location of his body, and the direction of the shot.  
- **Charles Ballard**: Reported being at the Lorraine Motel and observed vehicles in the area.  
- **James Elmore Phillips Jr.**: Provided details about his movements and observations near Jim’s Grill.  
- **Gene Pearson Crawford**: Arrested near Jim’s Grill but cleared of involvement in MLK’s murder.  
- **David Wood, Kenneth Foster, Steven Cupples**: Witnesses who described parking arrangements and lack of suspicious activity at Jim’s Grill.  
- **Barry Elwood Tubbs, Billy Ray Hoard, James A. Walker Jr., Frank Holt, William Reed, Ray Alvis Hendrix**: Patrons or employees present at Jim’s Grill during the incident.  
- **Jowers**: Owner of Jim’s Grill referenced in witness accounts.  

Key Locations  
- **Lorraine Motel (Memphis, Tennessee)**: Site of MLK’s assassination; Room 306 where he was shot.  
- **Jim’s Grill (418 South Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee)**: Primary location for witness observations and law enforcement interactions.  
- **Fire Hydrant Area**: Key location for parking details and observations by multiple witnesses.  
- **St. Joseph Hospital (Memphis, Tennessee)**: Site of MLK’s medical treatment and death.  

Key Events  
- **MLK’s Assassination**: Occurred at the Lorraine Motel, with the fatal shot fired from a direction consistent with the motel’s layout.  
- **Witness Accounts**: Multiple individuals described their presence at Jim’s Grill and observations of vehicles parked nearby, including a white Mustang, a white Cadillac, and other cars.  
- **Arrest of Gene Pearson Crawford**: A man arrested near Jim’s Grill but later determined to have no connection to the murder.  
- **Parking Details**: Testimonies about cars, including a white Mustang and Cadillac, parked around the grill area.  
- **Emergency Medical Treatment**: MLK was hospitalized at St. Joseph Hospital, where his injuries were documented, and he died shortly after.  
- **Law Enforcement Interactions**: Deputies requested names and addresses from patrons at Jim’s Grill following the shooting.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations and compiled witness statements as part of the inquiry into MLK’s assassination.  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Involved in arrests and scene management at Jim’s Grill.  
- **St. Joseph Hospital**: Medical facility where King was treated and died.

MLK Declassified Files

44-si-561_sec_007_ser_435_only-part_4_of_8.pdf

Document Summary

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