</s>ME 44-1987 CREWS, THOMAS B. 53 CURTIS, RAY LOUIS 53, 54, 66 DAY, GINGER 79 DANCING LESSONS 12, 17, 18 DEGRASSE, MARIAN 29 DENNIS, MARIE 79 DENNIs, DYRELL 78, 86 DONIAN, MICHAEL 44 DONIAN , SUSAN 44 DOWDA, LEWIE 54, 55, 69, 70 DRAKE, CARL BENTON 50, 60, 71 DYKEMA, DALE LEROY 22 EDMONDSON, GEORGE 52 FLETCHER, JAMES C. 70 FORMULA, E. Z, 10 FREEMAN, DR. MARK O. 16 FRIENDSHIP CLUB 12 FULLER, MABLE 45 FUTURA BOOKS, INC. 8, 26 GALT, ERIC 8, 10, 12, 22, 23, 24, 33, 37 GALT , ERIC S. 8, 9, 10. 11, 12. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 17, 20. 21, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33. 34, 38 97 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document presents an FBI investigative report from the late 1960s focusing on the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (April 4, 1968) and related forensic analysis. Key elements include:  
- **Forensic Evidence**: A .30 caliber bullet recovered from MLK’s body was identified as a metal-jacketed "soft point" type fired from a Remington Game Master Rifle, Model 760 (SN 461476). The rifle’s Redfield telescope sight (SN 17350) and other items found at the crime scene were linked to James Earl Ray via fingerprint analysis.  
- **Physical Evidence**: A plastic bottle of Mennen Afta Shaving Lotion, an unpowered Schlitz beer can with "Mississippi Tax Paid" label, a Channel Master radio (Model #6502), and a green/brown bedspread were recovered from the scene. The radio’s markings included "00416," matching Ray’s inmate number from Missouri State Penitentiary.  
- **Vehicle and Movement**: A white Mustang was identified as the vehicle used by the assassin, later found in Atlanta, Georgia. The car contained items tied to Ray, including a bedspread with laundry mark 20R-3.  
- **Handwriting Analysis**: Documents attributed to James Earl Ray, such as a letter dated October 24, 1966, were examined for handwriting comparisons, though the FBI could not definitively link all items to him.  
- **Eric S. Galt**: Financial records and address changes linked GALT to Birmingham, Alabama, and Los Angeles, California. His name appeared in laundry records (laundry #20R-3) and correspondence with businesses like Superior Bulk Film Company. However, the FBI concluded that fingerprints and handwriting evidence at the crime scene belonged to Ray, not GALT.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected assassin of MLK; linked via forensic evidence including fingerprints on binoculars, newspaper, shaving lotion, beer can, and radio. Convicted in 1969 for the assassination.  
- **Eric S. Galt**: Name associated with laundry records (laundry #20R-3) and financial transactions, but no conclusive link to Ray was established.  
- **Dr. Barl C. Kepler**: Recipient of a letter attributed to James Earl Ray.  
- **John Larry Rat**: Brother of James Earl Ray; visited Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) multiple times in 1967.  
- **M.S. Estelle** and **M.B. Estelle Ray**: Clerks at Piedmont Laundry; recorded laundry pickups under the name Eric GALT.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of MLK’s assassination at the Lorraine Motel (422 South Main Street).  
- **Los Angeles, CA**: Home of Home Service Laundry and Dry Cleaning Company and Avion Cleaners, where laundry #20R-3 was assigned to GALT.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Location of Capitol Homes public housing project where the Mustang was parked.  
- **Jefferson, Missouri** and **Leavenworth, Kansas**: Sites of Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) referenced in documents.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Residence of James Ray’s mother, Lucille Maher.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: MLK assassinated at the Lorraine Motel by a lone gunman using a Remington Game Master Rifle.  
- **April 5, 1968**: A white Mustang with Alabama license plates was parked in Atlanta; bed linen bearing laundry mark 20R-3 was found abandoned.  
- **April 22–23, 1967**: John Larry Rat visited MSP on multiple occasions; Ray escaped from MSP on April 22, 1967.  
- **December 15, 1967**: Laundry #20R-3 was assigned to Eric GALT at Avion Cleaners.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI Laboratory**: Conducted analysis of bullet composition, handwriting comparisons, and fiber examinations.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Site of James Earl Ray’s incarceration and visits by his brother John Larry Rat.  
- **Home Service Laundry and Dry Cleaning Company**: Located in Los Angeles; referenced for possession of thermo seal marking machines.  
- **Piedmont Laundry**: In Atlanta, where laundry pickups were recorded under the name Eric GALT.

MLK Declassified Files

44-si-561_sec_016_ser_650_only-part_3_of_5.pdf

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