Strange uncorroborated 1968 FBI Memo re: Memphis band leader's oddly specific MLK prediction
This memo from the FBI files on the investigation of the assassination is an odd one.
A Memphian reported to FBI agents that, while attending a local meeting on April 4, 1968, he overheard a specific prediction of the assassination ("the boy [who would 'stop' MLK] would be in a white house across the street from the motel") about six hours before the tragic 6:01 P.M. shooting. Both the witness and person purported to have been giving the prediction were blind. If the prediction really happened it is an odd coincidence but, for the most part, does not fit with the facts of what actually occurred. James Earl Ray had no connection to Northern Mississippi, did not learn of King's location until around the time of the prediction, and first arrived at Bessie Brewer's Rooming House well after that, around 3 P.M.
Text of the memo:
"United States Government
Memorandum
TO: SAC [Special Agent in Charge], MEMPHIS (44-1987) DATE: 4/16/68
FROM: SA [Special Agent] JOHN W. BAUER
SUBJECT: MURKIN
CR
On 4/15/68, ELBERT HAYNES, Employment Counselor, Map-South, 138 South Fourth Street, Memphis, advised SA BAUER and SA ROBERT W. GOODWIN that on 4/4/68 he attended a meeting of the Memphis Citizens Committee for the Blind held at the Sheraton Motor Inn, Union Avenue. He stated he arrived at approximately 11:20 A.M. and was seated at a table with a Mr. GRAHAM, a Mr. LATHAN, the president of the Progressive Guild for the Blind (name unknown), Mr. BOB MC KNIGHT, CONRAD LIGGIN, a Mr. WINFIELD, Mr. LIGGETT, and a ROBERT FOLLEY, a member of the House of Representatives for the state of Tennessee. HAYNES-stated he did not know the full names of the above persons because he was given a fast introduction to them. He also added that be could not at any future time recognize any of these persons due to the fact that he has been blind all of his life.
He stated during the meeting he overheard bits of a conversation between BOB MC KNIGHT and another person whose name he does-not know. He stated that as soon as MC KNIGHT realized that he was overhearing the conversation, he began to speak in muffled tones as if he did not want him to hear what he was saying. HAYNES stated he heard BOB MC KNIGHT, public relations manager for the Workshop for the Blind, say that KING was not going to "carry" that march because he knew a boy from Northern Mississippi who would stop him. MC KNIGHT said that the boy would be in a white house across the street from the motel.
HAYNES added that even though he only heard parts of the conversation which MC KNIGHT was having with another person, he feels that the plan for the murder of KING came from the city government because the Memphis Workshop for the Blind is composed of persons who are handpicked by City Hall. HAYNES added that he has given.the above information to an investigator named HARRIS who was sent to him by Rev. [James] LAWSON.
[handwritten note: “[?] - We need to run this out. - RT”]"
Strange uncorroborated 1968 FBI Memo re: Memphis band leader's oddly specific MLK prediction
This memo from the FBI files on the investigation of the assassination is an odd one.
A Memphian reported to FBI agents that, while attending a local meeting on April 4, 1968, he overheard a specific prediction of the assassination ("the boy [who would 'stop' MLK] would be in a white house across the street from the motel") about six hours before the tragic 6:01 P.M. shooting. Both the witness and person purported to have been giving the prediction were blind. If the prediction really happened it is an odd coincidence but, for the most part, does not fit with the facts of what actually occurred. James Earl Ray had no connection to Northern Mississippi, did not learn of King's location until around the time of the prediction, and first arrived at Bessie Brewer's Rooming House well after that, around 3 P.M.
Text of the memo:
"United States Government
Memorandum
TO: SAC [Special Agent in Charge], MEMPHIS (44-1987) DATE: 4/16/68
FROM: SA [Special Agent] JOHN W. BAUER
SUBJECT: MURKIN
CR
On 4/15/68, ELBERT HAYNES, Employment Counselor, Map-South, 138 South Fourth Street, Memphis, advised SA BAUER and SA ROBERT W. GOODWIN that on 4/4/68 he attended a meeting of the Memphis Citizens Committee for the Blind held at the Sheraton Motor Inn, Union Avenue. He stated he arrived at approximately 11:20 A.M. and was seated at a table with a Mr. GRAHAM, a Mr. LATHAN, the president of the Progressive Guild for the Blind (name unknown), Mr. BOB MC KNIGHT, CONRAD LIGGIN, a Mr. WINFIELD, Mr. LIGGETT, and a ROBERT FOLLEY, a member of the House of Representatives for the state of Tennessee. HAYNES-stated he did not know the full names of the above persons because he was given a fast introduction to them. He also added that be could not at any future time recognize any of these persons due to the fact that he has been blind all of his life.
He stated during the meeting he overheard bits of a conversation between BOB MC KNIGHT and another person whose name he does-not know. He stated that as soon as MC KNIGHT realized that he was overhearing the conversation, he began to speak in muffled tones as if he did not want him to hear what he was saying. HAYNES stated he heard BOB MC KNIGHT, public relations manager for the Workshop for the Blind, say that KING was not going to "carry" that march because he knew a boy from Northern Mississippi who would stop him. MC KNIGHT said that the boy would be in a white house across the street from the motel.
HAYNES added that even though he only heard parts of the conversation which MC KNIGHT was having with another person, he feels that the plan for the murder of KING came from the city government because the Memphis Workshop for the Blind is composed of persons who are handpicked by City Hall. HAYNES added that he has given.the above information to an investigator named HARRIS who was sent to him by Rev. [James] LAWSON.
[handwritten note: “[?] - We need to run this out. - RT”]"