</s>44-561-1 CLASSIFICATION NO. Volume Number 16 Series 650 aly Rayeis) SERIALS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - FBI - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER FBI - SPRINGFIELD S1-0444-00111B: SI S1 -0444 -00111E: SI Class / Case #

Summary:  
The document details forensic analysis of fibers found in a Mustang linked to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Bed linen with laundry mark 20R-3 was recovered from the vehicle, and records indicate this mark was assigned to Avalon Cleaners in Los Angeles. Fibers (brown cotton, green cotton, green rayon) were compared to a bedspread found near MLK’s assassination site in Memphis, TN. The FBI Laboratory concluded these fibers could have originated from the laundry associated with the suspect. A connection is drawn between Eric GALT and the Piedmont Laundry, where a pickup was noted on April 5, 1968, under GALT’s name. Handwriting samples from James Earl Ray (JER) were analyzed, including letters dated October 24, 1966, and documents from Missouri State records and Leavenworth Penitentiary. The FBI determined the handwriting matched JER but noted discrepancies in some specimens.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray** (JER): Suspect linked to MLK’s assassination; handwriting samples analyzed by FBI.  
- **Eric GALT**: Name associated with laundry records and a pickup at Piedmont Laundry.  
- **Dr. Earl C. Kepler**: Recipient of a letter from JER dated October 24, 1966.  
- **John Larry Ray** (brother): Visited JER at Missouri State Penitentiary multiple times; claims no knowledge of his escape.  
- **Jerry William Ray** (brother): Resides in Illinois; divorced from Gerdis Street.  
- **Carol Pepper** (sister): Operates Grapevine Tavern with brother; denies contact with JER post-escape.  
- **Ruby Carpenter** (stepmother): Last saw JER in 1961; claims no knowledge of his whereabouts.  

Key Locations:  
- **Avalon Cleaners** (Los Angeles, CA): Linked to laundry mark 20R-3.  
- **Piedmont Laundry** (St. Louis, MO): Pickup location associated with Eric GALT.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: JER’s incarceration site; visit records noted for family members.  
- **Grapevine Tavern** (Maplewood, MO): Operated by Carol Pepper and her brother.  

Key Events:  
- Forensic analysis of fibers from a Mustang linked to MLK’s assassination.  
- FBI Laboratory comparison of laundry fibers and bedspread found in Memphis.  
- Handwriting analysis of documents attributed to JER, including letters and prison records.  
- Investigation into JER’s family connections, including prison visits and alleged escape.  

Key Organizations:  
- **FBI Laboratory**: Conducted forensic analysis of fibers and handwriting samples.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Site of JER’s incarceration and family visits.  
- **Avalon Cleaners** and **Piedmont Laundry**: Laundries linked to fiber evidence.

MLK Declassified Files

44-si-561_sec_016_ser_650_only-part_1_of_5.pdf

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