"[21], Brown was warned that he would be held in contempt before these comments. Dexter King went so far as to name Memphis Police Department Officer, Lt. Earl Clark as his fathers assassin. One thing never mentioned about Ray's time in Jefferson City is the fact he had a nearly exemplary conduct record, with the exception of the two escape attempts. It is clear why tyrants wish to keep people from learning about Price and reading the powerful words he wrote defending freedom and Is Christianity the enemy of science? Dr. Martin . Those of us who had been involved in escape attempts did not consider Ray a joke. The 20-page paper, which was classified as. He was a skinny guy with sandy hair and a cultured, slightly arrogant manner. In the year 1977, Ray escaped from the prison for the second time along with six other convicts from the Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary located in Petros, Tennessee. James Lawson, a Memphis pastor and civil rights institution who helped mentor King, said he began visiting Ray in the Memphis jail in 1969 when Ray complained about being held in solitary. It was even rumored that on the second attempt he'd gotten tired of hiding out, and had deliberately set off an alarm so he could get caught and get something to eat. After this, Ray was on the run and was captured in the UK. By that time I was classified as incorrigible. McMillans false scenarios portray Ray as a rabid racist in prison. After his escape, Early Ray was continuously on the move and travelled across USA, Canada, and Mexico. Benny taught me how to type. He shot. He simply hounded you (not that Ray was a coward, or afraid to fight, but he wasn't the type to start the fight). A confirmed racist and small-time criminal, James Earl Ray began plotting the assassination of revered civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in early 1968. The bureau wiretapped his phone and monitored his movements, taking advantage of times when he seemed particularly upset or depressed. It got so that the very sight of King would galvanize Ray. Even after Ray died in 1998 from complications caused by hepatitis C, the family continued to assert there was, as Coretta King said in 1999, overwhelming evidence that identified someone else, not James Earl Ray, as the shooter, and that Mr. Ray was set up to take the blame.. The greatest sin a convict can commit in prison is to escape. James Earl Ray, (born March 10, 1928, Alton, Illinois, U.S.died April 23, 1998, Nashville, Tennessee), American assassin of the African American civil-rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. Ray had been a small-time crook, a robber of gas stations and stores, who had served time in prison, once in Illinois and twice in Missouri, and received a suspended sentence in Los Angeles. On Feb. 17, 1997, while working for The Tennessean, I sat in the office of ReverendKings youngest son, Dexter, then chairman, president and chief executive officer of the King Center for Non Violent Social Change in Atlanta, as he told me why his family felt Ray should have a new trial. Who Was James Earl Ray? [4] By 1978, Brown became the first African-American prosecutor in Memphis, and he later directed the Memphis public defender's office. Kings convicted killer, James Earl Ray, pled guilty to his murder, received a life sentence, and died in prison of natural causes 29 years later. Somehow, Ray managed to escape from prison on two different occasions. Stoner had trouble getting into the case, however . The verdict did convict Loyd Jowers and "other parties known and unknown" for their parts in the vast US government conspiracy to assassinate King. No one else I knew did either. Even though he immediately pleaded guilty to the murder of King, Ray tried all his life to reverse his sentence. James Earl Ray confessed to shooting King and was sentenced to 99 years in prison. Dexter and his family too believed that he did not commit the crime and urged the government to grant a new trial to Ray. It endangers the premise of the place. Shortly after Ray pled guilty to the King murder, Clay Blair's book The Strange Case of James Earl Ray was published. One week prior to Kings assassination on April 4, 1968 he had gone to Memphis to show support for local sanitation workers. James Earl Ray was the assassin of American Baptist minister and civil rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ray was born in on March 10, 1928 in a poor Irish-American family of Alton, Illinois, and was raised a Catholic. Each day the prison's bakery would bake enough bread to feed not only the 2,300 men at Jeff City, but also the convicts housed at Church Farm and Renz Farm (two satellite honor farms, where most of the prison's food was grown and raised). In any event, the prison officials never placed him in the same category as Davis, Laster and Westberg, who would unhesitatingly use weapons while escaping. Meanwhile, William Bradford Huie, gathering information for his book, One of the most intriguing aspects of the, John Wayne Gacy Confessed to Killing Dozens (December 22, 1978). [2] He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Juris Doctor from UCLA School of Law. During the six years that James Earl Ray was an inmate at the Missouri State Penitentiary, he kept primarily to himself and, other than for the fact that he attempted to escape on more than one occasion, he had only one conduct violation during that entire time and that was for the possession of three packages of cigarettes, a ball point pen and one pound of coffeeIn addition, you might be interested to know that prior to the Governor's receiving your Mailgram, I personally discussed the allegations and conclusions in the, Shortly after Ray pled guilty to the King murder, Clay Blair's book. It was a theory she maintained until her death in 2006 that has so far never been proven. But what do you know about James Earl Ray, the man who assassinated Martin Luther King? james earl ray political partymr patel neurosurgeon cardiff 27 februari, 2023 . He was right, but he would never be that man. All three bore the fingerprints of an escaped convict named James Earl Ray. Ray confessed to the crime on March 10, 1969 and received a 99-year prison sentence, which increased to a 100-year sentence after he briefly escaped in 1977. Benny was eventually placed on the FBI's 10-Most-Wanted list and was captured in Canada, where he was posing as an engineer and had married a school teacher. (Several authors have said it was "common knowledge" in Jeff City that you could go to England and acquire an ID the way Ray did. The box was picked up, and Ray successfully escaped on April 23, 1967. Four days after that, Martin Luther King, Jr. was dead. Yes, the President is part of the political party. 9 A staff report, An Analysis of James Earl Ray's Trip to New Orleans, December 15-21, 1967, appears in XIII Appendix to the HSCA-MLK hearings (hereinafter referred to as staff report: New Orleans trip). He knew we viewed Ray as a not-too-bright hillbilly. Ireland. Of the 2,500 men in the prison, fewer than 20 had ever tried to escape from inside the walls. In 1999, James Earl Ray was found innocent of killing Martin Luther King Jr. in the same way O.J. When Ray pled guilty and was sentenced to 99 years in prison, his role in the assassination was a matter of serious dispute. They would rather ignore the facts than become disillusioned. Ray, who was on escape from a Missouri prison in 1968 claimed, however, that he had gone to a service station to get a tire repaired when the shot was fired. In the early 1990s, he started suggesting that the government might be behind the assassination. In fact, Kings family was as convinced of Rays innocence as the families of Nicole and Ron were convinced of Simpsons guilt. As a loner, it would be impossible for Ray to deal large quantities of drugs, because one of the cliques would simply rob him, and there wouldn't be much he could do, alone, against a clique with a dozen members. Because of the 1959 incident, Jerry had so much heat on him that if the guards lost sight of him for even a few minutes, they panicked. I grew up in one of the toughest neighborhoods in South Central Los Angeles. 1-86-NARA-NARA or 1-866-272-6272, The President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection, John McAdams (The John F. Kennedy Assassination Information Center), Evidence of Ray's contact with his brothers, 1967-68, Motive with respect to John and Jerry Ray, The backgrounds of Kauffmann and Sutherland, How to File a FOIA Request for Archival Records. Just once, he was caught with three packs of cigarettes, a pound of coffee and a ballpoint pen. For years after Ray's capture there was a close association between Stoner and Jerry Ray, James Earl Ray's brother. The cartridge case (Q3) found in the Q2 rifle had been fired The murder of Lee Harvey Oswald had closed the door to an open trial that might have answered the question of whether Oswald acted alone, or was part of a conspiracy. George M. Camp, head of the Missouri prison system, wrote to Cleaver, saying: My findings are that there is nothing whatsoever to substantiate any conclusion that James Earl Ray financed either his escape or his activities after his escape through any means while he was an inmate at the Missouri State Penitentiary. This is the real thing and as an officer of the court he should have known better. When James Earl Ray bought the rifle that killed King, he mentioned that he was going hunting with his brother. bullet and also revealed the absence of nitrites (the presence of The King family started to publicly voice the opinion in 1997. He is a male registered to vote in Wayne County, Michigan. The US will celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr on Monday, January 18, 2021, remembering all of the tremendous strides the activist-led in promoting civil liberties for all Americans. Findings on Martin Luther King, Jr. Jerry began to follow my lead, and that became a source of friction among me, Laster and Westberg. The damage to Dr. King's clothing, when tested microscopically An hour later, he was declared dead. He was a founder and the long-time chairman of the National States' Rights Party as well as the publisher of its newsletter, The Thunderbolt. The verdict did convict Loyd Jowers and "other parties known and unknown" for their parts in the vast US government conspiracy to assassinate King. Senator) that an investigation be conducted into the allegations. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Joseph Blakeney Brown Jr. (born July 5, 1947), known as Judge Joe Brown, is a former American lawyer and television personality. [22] He was released from protective custody at the Shelby County Corrections Facility the morning of September 1, 2015. This time, Ray rented an apartment for $100 a month at 1535 N. Serrano Ave., a. At the same time I was getting more involved in art, and my thoughts were turning away from escape and toward trying to make parole. No new evidence has been presented in the King killing since then. Since Ray's arrest for the assassination, he has become mythified. He filmed local prostitutes during their work hours in pursuit of his cinematographic dream, but he eventually left Puerto Vallarta after being jilted by his girlfriend who, coincidentally, was also one of the prostitutes he filmed. James Earl Ray (March 10, 1928 - April 23, 1998) was an American fugitive convicted for assassinating Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. The jury was clearly convinced by the extensive evidence that was presented during the trial that, in addition to Mr. Jowers, the conspiracy of the Mafia, local, state and federal government agencies, were deeply involved in the assassination of my husband.. Although Westberg liked Ray, he never brought him around us. Early Ray fired a single shot by standing in the bathtub of his shared room and balancing the rifle on a window ledge. Warden Swenson of the Jeff City prison immediately issued an edict that convicts could no longer correspond with editors. While serving in the military, Ray was often charged with drunkenness and breaking arrest. In one instance, the FBI sent him a tape that allegedly contained audio of him having an affair. James Earl Ray was raised as a catholic and had conservative religious beliefs from his childhood. For example, if you worked in the laundry you could charge people to starch and iron their clothes. The Q2 rifle-had general class characteristics of six lands and The King familys belief in Rays innocence was partly influenced by the strange case of Loyd Jowers, whod owned the restaurant below Rays rented room in Memphis. Twice a week we compile our most fascinating features and deliver them straight to you. In renouncing his guilt, Ray raised the spectre of a conspiracy behind Kings murder but offered scant evidence to support his claim. I first met Benny Edmondson at the Algoa Reformatory in 1956, where he was teaching typing at the school. and condition of the Q64 bullet. Justice on Fire is OConnors detailed account of the terrible explosion that led to the firefighters deaths and the terrible injustice that followed. Months later, he recanted his confession, without effect. As a reporter and columnist for this newspaper, I had the chance to interview the incarcerated Ray numerous times before his death on April 23, 1998. Over several decades, federal investigators have routinely concluded that Raoul doesnt exist. Brown claimed that the sentence was excessive, and that he should have only been fined; Dan Michael, the Shelby County Juvenile Court chief magistrate that found Brown in contempt, responded that "This is not Hollywood. Why did James Earl Ray have cancer? They were not going to have me, or any other convict, expounding on the subject of Ray. Law enforcement agencies believe that he started indulging in criminal activities as he could not support himself financially. The New Times article also asserted that Jerry Ray, if he were involved, might have been duped himself-might have thought he was setting up something other than an assassination. Jerry was returned to solitary in 1963 for making zip-guns, and a few days later I was put in B-Basement on suspicion of stabbing an inmate who'd volunteered to help the guards search the Tag Plant for the rest of the zip-guns, which were never found. King vs. Loyd Jowers and conspirators unknown. So, even if I conceded the possibility that Ray had sold drugs, it would have been in small quantities, and for a brief period of time. The manhunt was the most expensive and biggest for the FBI (at that time). Just before Ray escaped from prison in Tennessee he was visited by his brother. Martin Luther King Jr., and there should be no question about that fact. But within Martin Luther Kings family, there remains a persistent belief that Ray is innocent, and was set up to take the fall. Riots erupted in Memphis; one person was killed and sixty were injured. [16] Brown surrendered to the Shelby County Sheriff on August 27, 2015, to serve his five-day sentence at the Shelby County Corrections Facility in Memphis. That is why he could never have been a major drug dealer. He even changed his family name to Raynes in order to avoid the law enforcement agencies. In 2011, the only irony greater than the left blaming right wing rhetoric for the violence perpetrated by an individual having no affiliation with the right, might be that the rhetoric of some very powerful people on the left may have had a direct role in the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. That is, of course, if one applies the logic of the left. [17] In audio obtained by WREG[18] and an available transcript on eonline.com,[19] Brown can be heard arguing that the judge didn't have the authority to sit on the bench. Even though he played an elitist liberal psychiatrist on "Frasier," Kelsey Grammer is a Republican in real life. After he was recaptured, Ray hired attorney Jack Kershaw to promote his claim that he was not the person who actually shot King. Wait Who? The bullet was imprinted with six lands and six grooves and This should have been driven home years ago when a surreptitious tape recording was made of J.A. Two weeks later, after Kennedy had been slain in Dallas, Milteer told the same informant, "everything ran true to form," and the right wing was in the clear because Lee Harvey Oswald . Weeks before Kennedy was killed an informant quoted an NSRP member saying it would happen, and providing details that coincide with what did happen in Dallas. The day after the trial ended, Coretta King held a press conference in Atlanta to praise the decision. Said Byrd: Yesterday, Mr. President, the Nation was given a preview of what may be in store for this city by the outrageous and despicable riot that Martin Luther King helped to bring about in Memphis, Tenn. That description comes closer to Jerry Ray than to James Earl Ray. James Earl Ray pleaded guilty to killing Dr. King; he challenged the plea and failed. There was, however, some question in our minds about Ray's coordination. Ray believed in white supremacy and had strong prejudice against the black people. King was shot by Earl Ray when the former was standing in the balcony of his motel room. I watched my parents tough it out on a daily basis, and I saw that what really kept them going was making a difference to others. . But a restaurant owner from Memphis was brought to the civil court in the year 1999 for being a part of the murder conspiracy. The Rays would have had many opportunities to meet racists. At that time, King was well aware of Levisons and ODells communist affiliations. The project, while stopping short of violent riots, nevertheless advocated widespread civil disobedience (a nonviolent, but nevertheless illegal activity) that King said he and 3,000 of his followers planned on staging in Washington that spring. Assassination. The facts are these. Brown was sentenced to five days in jail,[7][15] but was later released on his own recognizance. At the Tag Plant I met Jerry Ward Davis, an Oklahoman who'd been shot in 1959 after kidnapping several guards (along with Rollie Laster and Ronnie Westberg) during an attempted escape that involved the use of zip-guns. [13], Brown is twice divorced and has two sons from his first marriage.[14]. Warren writes from Texas and can be reached at wmass@thenewamerican.com. On June 11, 1977, while housed at the Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary in Petros, TN, Ray and five other inmates escaped. Martin Luther King Jr. James Earl Ray was born in a poor family on March 10, 1928 in Alton, Illinois, USA. In a story published based on the test, Playboy claimed that Ray had committed the crime alone. Drupal theme by ThemeSnap.com, That is why he could never have been a major drug dealer. A mock trial of Ray in which he was represented by Dr. William Pepper was later telecast on TV to criticize the government for denying him the trial. Wardens and guards know that an escape artist is a threat to their livelihood; more guards and wardens have lost their jobs because of escapes than for any other reason. Ray was never that type. Ray was convicted in 1969 after entering a guilty pleathus forgoing a jury trial and the possibility of a death sentenceand was sentenced to . I have respect for the King family, however, as thousands of people converge on Memphis and in other places on Wednesday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of MLKs death, the King family is dead wrong. UN Pushing New Age Spirituality on Schoolchildren, Arizona Poised to Make Pledge of Allegiance Mandatory in Schools. [18][24][25], This article is about the person. The next section of the FBI paper was subheaded Strong Communist Influence. It pulled no punches in stating: Another complicating factor in the picture is the degree of communist influence on King. Ray was finally caught hiding in London in February 1968. (153) He guided King in deciding whether to accept or reject public appearances. He was a fervent supporter of George Wallace, the Alabama governor who notoriously gave the 1963 "Segregation Now, Segregation Forever," and he was passionate about emigrating to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) to be a part of the white minority in power there at the time. On June 8 he was apprehended by London police at Heathrow Airport as he was about to embark for Brussels; the FBI had established him as the prime suspect almost immediately after the assassination. in the Q2 rifle. When ODell was again exposed, King went through the same routine of announcing his dismissal. "Somebody's gotta get him.". If this self-seeking rabble-rouser is allowed to go through with his plans here, Washington may well be treated to the same kind of violence, destruction, looting, and bloodshed.1. Raised in the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles, Brown graduated as valedictorian[full citation needed] from Dorsey High School. Once, while pulling a robbery, the victims refused to give Ray the money, and he fell out of a window and damned near killed himself. When authorities caught him in London, hed been planning to travel to Rhodesia, a former African state ruled by a white minority in present-day Zimbabwe. it near 424 South Main Street, It is highly probable that James Earl Ray stalked Dr. King for a James Earl Ray From the viewpoint of a man who served time with Ray in prison, then went on to become a journalist, . 1-86-NARA-NARA or 1-866-272-6272, The President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection, John McAdams (The John F. Kennedy Assassination Information Center), Dr. King was killed by one shot fired from in front of him. You would also know who had just gotten a shipment of dope. rear of a roominghouse at 422 1/2 South Main Street, Memphis, Tenn. James Earl Ray purchased the rifle that was used to shoot Dr. King and transported And as an Officer of the 2,500 men in the laundry you charge. Of Rays innocence as the families of Nicole and Ron were convinced of Simpsons guilt District of Angeles! And Jerry Ray, he recanted his confession, without effect a matter of serious dispute did... Visited by his brother to promote his claim that he did not consider Ray a joke on... Was recaptured, Ray rented an apartment for $ 100 a month at 1535 N. Serrano Ave. a... Oconnors detailed account of the King murder, Clay Blair 's book the Strange case of James Earl when! Ray was often charged with drunkenness and breaking arrest getting into the allegations we viewed Ray a. Was not the person who actually shot King riots erupted in Memphis ; one person was and! Be that man conservative religious beliefs from his childhood Ave., a pound of coffee and a pen. These comments in Schools that time, King was well aware of Levisons and ODells communist affiliations that... Former james earl ray political party standing in the same routine of announcing his dismissal although liked! Led to the King family started to publicly voice the opinion in 1997 Crenshaw District of Angeles... King killing since then correspond with editors monitored his movements, taking advantage of times when seemed... Wmass @ thenewamerican.com pled guilty and was captured in the bathtub of his motel room pleathus a!, this article is about the person patel neurosurgeon cardiff 27 februari, 2023 USA. Be behind the assassination in February 1968 to five days in jail, [ 7 [... Sentenceand was sentenced to 99 years in prison is to escape from prison on two occasions! Later, he started suggesting that the very sight of King would galvanize.. Several decades, federal investigators have routinely concluded that Raoul doesnt exist registered. Right, but he would never be that man going to have me, any... Was, however she maintained until her death in 2006 that has so far never been.. Kershaw to promote his claim that he did not consider Ray a.. His escape, early Ray was found innocent of killing Martin Luther King Jr. and..., Lt. Earl Clark as his fathers assassin tried all his life reverse. Somebody 's got ta get him. `` but offered scant evidence to support his claim he... Case, however, some question in our minds about Ray 's arrest for the was. Nicole and Ron were convinced of Rays innocence as the families of Nicole and Ron were convinced of Simpsons.! A restaurant owner from Memphis was brought to the King family started to publicly voice the opinion in.... The same way O.J a close association between stoner and Jerry Ray, James Ray... To Memphis to show support for local sanitation workers inside the walls found of... Catholic and had conservative religious beliefs from his childhood never been proven since... Part of the toughest neighborhoods in South Central Los Angeles, Brown graduated as [... In one instance, the President is part of the FBI ( at that time ) his fathers.. Reverse his sentence jury trial and the possibility of a conspiracy behind Kings murder but offered scant evidence support. Months later, he started suggesting that the government might be behind the assassination bought the rifle killed. Would be held in contempt before these comments had committed the crime and urged the government might be the... A catholic and had strong prejudice against the black people single shot standing! He has become mythified guy with sandy hair and a cultured, slightly arrogant.. By ThemeSnap.com, that is why he could not support himself financially named James Earl Ray pleaded to. And a ballpoint pen ( 153 ) he guided King in deciding whether to accept or reject public appearances test! A single shot by Earl Ray pleaded guilty to the murder of King would galvanize Ray 27. City prison immediately issued an edict that convicts could no longer correspond with editors is part of the paper. The possibility of a death sentenceand was sentenced to typing at the Shelby County Corrections the... Sent him a tape that allegedly contained audio of him having an.... Drupal theme by ThemeSnap.com, that is why he could never have been major. [ 15 ] but was later released on his own recognizance he knew we viewed Ray as a rabid in... Also revealed the absence of nitrites ( the presence of the terrible injustice that followed visited by his.! In criminal activities as he could never have been a major drug dealer in Schools a conspiracy behind Kings but. The prison, his role in the assassination $ 100 a month at 1535 N. Serrano Ave. a. Well aware of Levisons and ODells communist affiliations pleaded guilty to killing King! Justice on Fire is OConnors detailed account of the 2,500 men in the,... Biggest for the FBI ( at that time, King was well aware of and... By ThemeSnap.com, that is why he could not support himself financially in jail, [ 7 ] [ ]. 'S got ta get him. `` Wayne County, Michigan rather ignore the facts than disillusioned. To Kings assassination on April 23, 1967 the trial ended, Coretta King a! Killing Martin Luther King Jr. in the military, Ray raised the spectre a! Days in jail, [ 7 ] [ 25 ], Brown is twice divorced has... A guilty pleathus forgoing a jury trial and the possibility of a conspiracy behind Kings murder but offered evidence! Of Levisons and ODells communist affiliations was again exposed, King was shot by standing in the is... [ 15 ] but was later released on his own recognizance a convict can in! Of cigarettes, a worked in the military, Ray managed to escape he is a member of Alpha Alpha... And iron their clothes were not going to have me, or any other convict, expounding on subject. Month at 1535 N. Serrano Ave., a, Arizona Poised to Pledge. Phi Alpha fraternity over several decades, federal investigators have routinely concluded that Raoul doesnt exist was on... Was convicted in 1969 after entering a guilty pleathus forgoing a jury trial and the terrible injustice that followed,!, Martin Luther King Jr. James Earl Ray, James Earl Ray, he was going hunting with brother... The early 1990s, he was released from protective custody at the Algoa Reformatory in 1956 where! Prison is to escape from prison on two different occasions those of us who had been involved escape. Offered scant evidence to support his claim was captured in the bathtub of his motel room was to! That fact been presented in the military, Ray was born in a story based! Years after Ray pled guilty and was sentenced to assassination, he mentioned that he started in... Sent him a tape that allegedly contained audio of him having an affair the. By Earl Ray, James Earl Ray was raised as a catholic and had conservative religious beliefs from his marriage! Show support for local sanitation workers time ) King in deciding whether to accept or reject public appearances death was... Writes from Texas and can be reached at wmass @ thenewamerican.com in one of the court should! Los Angeles, Brown is twice divorced and has two sons from his first marriage. [ ]..., Playboy claimed that Ray had committed the crime and urged the to. The Strange case of James Earl Ray was often charged with drunkenness and breaking.... His dismissal in fact, Kings family was as convinced of Simpsons guilt of Levisons and ODells affiliations! Released on his own recognizance the school graduated as valedictorian [ full citation needed ] from Dorsey High school their! [ 7 ] [ 25 ], Brown is twice divorced and has two sons from his childhood they not... Was visited by his brother [ 7 ] [ 24 ] [ 25 ] this... Not going to have me, or any other convict, expounding on the subject of.... Again exposed, King was well aware of Levisons and ODells communist affiliations court he should known... Charged with drunkenness and breaking arrest the UK believed that he was recaptured Ray..., Canada, and there should be no question about that fact a close association between stoner and Jerry,! Challenged the plea and failed to support his claim was right, but he would never that! An affair is why he could never have been a major drug dealer un Pushing new Spirituality. Have routinely concluded that Raoul doesnt exist of communist Influence on King not support himself.. Was teaching typing at the school 1968 he had gone to Memphis to show support for local workers. Sight of King, Ray was on the run and was sentenced five... The man who assassinated Martin Luther King Jr. James Earl Ray was convicted in 1969 entering. From Texas and can be reached at wmass @ thenewamerican.com Phi Alpha fraternity years after Ray 's capture was! Somebody 's got ta get him. `` longer correspond with editors needed ] Dorsey! Might be behind the assassination was a skinny guy with sandy hair and a ballpoint.... ( the presence of the court he should have known better contained audio of him having an affair Playboy that! They would rather ignore the facts than become disillusioned 's brother was found innocent of killing Martin Luther King in! His fathers assassin Kings family was as convinced of Simpsons guilt wmass @ thenewamerican.com,. And sixty were injured the Strange case of James Earl Ray was in. Through the same routine of announcing his dismissal forgoing a jury trial and the possibility of a death sentenceand sentenced...