</s>FD-302 (Rev. 1-25-60) EDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGAT 1 Date May 8, 1968 JAMES EDWARD "TED" RICHARDSON, Missouri State Penitentiary (NSP) #49362, was interviewed at his place of employment, the Jefferson Cleaning Shop, 1660 South Jefferson. His residence is in the rear of this establishment. RICHARDSON furnished information that he was born January 13, 1907 at Chillicothe, Missouri, and entered the MSP on a murder at the Chilicothee, Missouri. May 1935. He was sentenced to death row at the hospital but his death was later contained. St. Louis area since that time. He was released from MSP at March 30, 1965, and has resided in the According to RICHARDSON were one of the "nuts" or "cowboys" who involved in most type of petty thieves and gangsters going on inside most of any type of petty thieves or gangsters. RICHARDSONS stated he knew subject RAY only casually since he worked more than 20 years in the hospital in the institution under Doctor HUGH, MANLEY, RICHardson stated he read some publicity concerning RAT escaping shortly after it occurred but had heard nothing indicating that subject RAT had been in St. Louis or made any contacts in the St. Louisiana area that had been time. He described RAY as one of those of the inmates who used narcotics or medicine of any king whenever obtainable. He stated that his most frequency of the hospital was not allowed to the occasions of RAY's reporting to the hospital for sick call. 162 On 5/6/68 of St.Louis, Missouri File # Sliz 44-775 SA CLETIS B. BIDEWELL/KJ SA WILLIAM R. WARFIELD Date dictated 5/16/68 This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI. It's the property and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside of your agency. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s associations and movements in 1968, focusing on his escape from Mississippi State Penitentiary in 1967 and potential connections to J.D. Daily, Homer Townsley, and other individuals in Missouri. Interviews with inmates, informants, and residents of St. Louis and surrounding areas provided information about Ray’s prison history, alleged harboring by Daily, and his interactions with criminal networks. The FBI sought evidence linking Ray to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., but no definitive proof was found. Key figures included Ray’s former associates, such as J.D. Daily (restaurant operator), Homer Townsley (bondman), and inmates like Donald Dean Rigger and James Russell. Surveillance and interviews also targeted Daily’s residences, business locations, and family connections in Portageville and St. Louis. The investigations highlighted Ray’s alleged ties to prison gangs, narcotics use, and potential involvement with southern organizations.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Former inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary (1960–1964) and Mississippi State Penitentiary (1964–1967); escaped in 1967; suspected connection to J.D. Daily and other individuals.  
- **J.D. Daily**: Restaurant operator in Portageville, Missouri; alleged harboring of Ray post-escape; interviewed by FBI regarding potential ties to Ray and criminal associates.  
- **Homer Townsley**: St. Louis bondman; provided information about Daily’s interactions with escaped convicts and Ray.  
- **Donald Dean Rigger**: Inmate at Mississippi State Penitentiary; claimed Ray was in Mexico after his 1967 escape but later suggested he may have been in St. Louis.  
- **James Russell**: Inmate at Missouri Training School for Men; noted prison officials restricted access to Ray’s medical records.  
- **John Paul Velanti**: Radio broadcaster in St. Louis; described Ray as a quiet inmate with limited social connections.  
- **Glenn Peterson** and **O.H. Acon**: Wardell, Missouri residents who testified about Daily’s family and business history.  
- **Jack Allison**: Arrested for counterfeiting; claimed to know Ray and possibly provide information about his activities.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** (Jefferson City): Site of Ray’s incarceration from 1960–1964; Rigger, Velanti, and others were also incarcerated here.  
- **Mississippi State Penitentiary**: Ray’s incarceration from 1964–1967; Rigger and Velanti had contact with him here.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Key location for Ray’s alleged activities, including his interactions with Daily and other criminals; Half-Way House restaurant-cafe was surveilled.  
- **Portageville, Missouri**: Daily’s residence and business location; FBI conducted interviews and surveillance here.  
- **Wardell, Missouri**: Center of Daily’s family connections; interviews with residents about property ownership and community ties.  
- **Jefferson City Penitentiary**: Site of CREWS’ incarceration (escapee associated with Ray).  

Key Events  
- **Ray’s Escape (1967)**: Ray fled Mississippi State Penitentiary; informants suggested he may have been sheltered by J.D. Daily in Missouri.  
- **FBI Investigations (April–May 1968)**: Agents interviewed inmates, residents, and business associates to track Ray’s movements, potential accomplices, and financial motives for violence.  
- **Surveillance of Daily’s Residences**: FBI monitored Daily’s properties in St. Louis and Portageville; the Half-Way House was noted as vacant at the time.  
- **Interviews with Relatives**: Daily’s sisters (Hazel Terrell, Lillian Johnson) and brother-in-law (Shelby Terrell) denied knowledge of Ray or farm-related activities connected to Daily.  
- **Inquiries into Land Ownership**: Agents checked property records in Pemiscot, Dunklin, and other counties to determine if Daily owned farms or real estate.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, surveillance, and investigations into Ray’s associations and movements; agents included Edward M. Moreland, Patrick W. Bradley, Jack J. Fisher, and others.  
- **St. Louis Police Department**: Collaborated with the FBI to track Ray and monitor suspected associates like Daily.  
- **Missouri State Highway Patrol**: Provided information about Daily’s background and community ties.  
- **Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Officer (Dunklin County)**: Assessed land ownership records in the region.  
- **Jefferson City Penitentiary**: Site of CREWS’ incarceration; referenced in context of escaped convicts.

MLK Declassified Files

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