</s>FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Copy to: Report of: SA JOE C. HESTER April 30, 1968 Office: Memphis Date: Field Office File No. ME 44-1987 Bureau File No: 44-38861 Title: JAMES EARL RAY; Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. - VICTIM JAMES EARL RAV: CIVIL RIGHTS - CONSPIRACY; UNLAWFUL FLIGHT TO AVOID CONFINEMENT - ROBBERY Character: Photographs of subject RAY exhibited to persons at roomning Synopsis: House, 422 South Main Street, Memphis; to personsat Rebel Motel, Memphis, and to Clark at Oliver Rexall Drug identification. Salsman at York Arms, Memphis. to persons as at identified location. sold binoculars indicated he could not positively identify 1968 photograph of JAMES BARL RRAY as binocular purchaser. 1968 photographof JAMES EARLI RAY as binocular purchaser. Additional interviews with occupants of Lorraine Motel. set out, including interviews with Mrs. G. DAVIS set out. Including interviews with Mr. GRAVIS prior to murder. Porford, who was on 4/4/68 Interviews. Prior to murder, Porsford, where Jim's Grill, 418 nation regarding emergency room treatment of victim KING and automobile registration in the name of ERIC STARVO. GALT set forth. Former manager, Continental Dance Studio, and automotive registration on the same name of Eric Starvo. subject attended this school in New Orleans. findings set forth regarding evidence located at Memphis. Laboratory. Latest fingerprints found on the Remington Model 760 rifle, on the after-shave lotion bottle, and on the Schitz beer can have all been identified with the fingerprints of the Potentialist, HARRY House, 2008 Highland Avenue, Birmingham, Porntonist, and the additional persons who resided Economy Rooming House, 208 Highland Avenue. Birmingham, located and interviewed, with negative results. Memphis where victim struck as 207 feet. IN VIEW OF THE CRIME FOR WHICH SUBJECT BEING SOUGHT. IN VIEW OF the CRIMEFOR AND DANGEROUS. This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the Phil. The property of the FBI and is licensed to your agency; it is and This document contained neither recommendations not distributed outside the agency. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O.E.O 14176

Summary  
The document contains statements from Reverend KYLES regarding the direction of the shot that killed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., noting it likely came from west to east. He described an ambulance transporting King’s body to St. Joseph Hospital and referenced photographs in *Life Magazine* (April 12, 1968) depicting King’s prone body. KYLES noted that individuals like Reverend Andrew Young of the SCLC were present at the Lorraine Motel on April 4, 1968, but no one was seen from the west or northwest during the shooting. He also mentioned a dinner event at which King was expected to attend but did not arrive before being shot. Charles Ballard, who stayed in room 310 of the Lorraine Motel from March 30–April 4, 1968, stated he was not present during the shooting and saw no suspicious activity. James Elmore Phillips, staying in room 315, left the motel around 5:45 PM on April 4 and reported no unusual observations. Loyd Jowers of Jim’s Grill described a stranger seen at his establishment on April 4, 1968, who later was identified as Gene Pearson Crawford, arrested but found not involved in the murder. Mr. Cipples noted cars parked near the grill, including a Mustang with black wall tires, though details were unclear.  

Key People  
- Reverend KYLES (witness to shooting and photographer analysis)  
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (victim)  
- Charles Ballard (hotel guest at Lorraine Motel)  
- James Elmore Phillips (hotel guest at Lorraine Motel)  
- Loyd Jowers (owner of Jim’s Grill, reported a stranger)  
- Gene Pearson Crawford (arrested individual linked to Jim’s Grill)  
- Reverend Andrew Young (SCLC staff member present at the motel)  

Key Locations  
- Lorraine Motel (site of assassination; rooms 310 and 315 occupied by witnesses)  
- St. Joseph Hospital (where King’s body was transported)  
- Jim’s Grill, 418 South Main Street, Memphis (location where a stranger was observed)  

Key Events  
- Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Motel on April 4, 1968  
- Interviews with witnesses (Reverend KYLES, Charles Ballard, James Elmore Phillips) regarding the shooting and surrounding events  
- Observation of a stranger at Jim’s Grill by Loyd Jowers, leading to the arrest of Gene Pearson Crawford  
- Analysis of photographs from *Life Magazine* depicting King’s body post-assassination  

Key Organizations  
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC; Reverend Andrew Young was affiliated)  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI; referenced in document headers and administrative notes)  
- Memphis Police Department (arrested Gene Pearson Crawford)

MLK Declassified Files

44-si-561_sec_007_ser_435_only-part_6_of_8.pdf

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