</s>portrait and other open prodice the name of any 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail James Earl Ray’s conviction for the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., his subsequent imprisonment at Brushy Mountain State Prison in Tennessee, and ongoing legal appeals challenging his conviction. Ray was sentenced to 99 years in prison following a trial that included claims of prosecutorial misconduct, evidence handling issues, and constitutional rights violations. His legal team argued for a new trial, citing inadequate representation, coerced guilty pleas, and access to physical evidence such as a rifle allegedly used in the crime. Ray’s 1969 escape attempt from Tennessee prison failed due to guard intervention. Legal proceedings involved federal and state courts, including Memphis-based judges William Williams and Michael Lollar, and referenced FBI surveillance of King prior to his death. The documents also note media coverage by outlets like *The Washington Post* and *New York Times*, as well as Ray’s alleged disputes over book contracts and claims involving a "riverfront pilot." Administrative records reference document releases under Executive Order 14176, alongside unrelated administrative notes about medical cases and political campaigns.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray: Convicted assassin of Martin Luther King Jr., incarcerated at Brushy Mountain State Prison; involved in legal appeals and escape attempts.  
- Martin Luther King Jr.: Victim of the 1968 assassination under investigation.  
- William Williams, Michael Lollar: Judges presiding over Ray’s legal proceedings in Memphis, Tennessee.  
- Percy Foreman, Bertha (Ray’s attorney): Legal representatives advocating for new trials or evidence access.  
- Jerry Ray: Brother of James Earl Ray; charged with shooting a member of the National State Rights Party in Savannah, Georgia.  
- Grace Stephens: Committed to an asylum in Bolivar, Tennessee; testified about the shooting incident involving King.  
- J. Stoner (possibly Stone): Political figure associated with the National State Rights Party.  
- Law enforcement figures: Including Richard Gandy (prisoner), Willard Yarbrough (reporter), and unnamed sheriffs and attorneys.  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee: Site of MLK’s assassination and legal proceedings; location of Brushy Mountain State Prison.  
- Nashville, Tennessee: Reference to Ray’s incarceration and prison administration.  
- Savannah, Georgia: Location of Jerry Ray’s alleged shooting incident involving the National State Rights Party.  
- Bolivar, Tennessee: Location of Grace Stephens’ asylum commitment.  
- Chatham County, Georgia: Mentioned in connection to an unrelated sheriff’s office and teenager incident.  

Key Events  
- 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee; investigation led by law enforcement agencies including the FBI.  
- James Earl Ray’s conviction for the murder, followed by appeals citing constitutional rights violations, evidence mishandling, and prosecutorial misconduct.  
- Ray’s 1969 escape attempt from Brushy Mountain State Prison, thwarted by guard intervention.  
- Legal battles over access to physical evidence (e.g., rifle, bullets) and claims of coerced guilty pleas.  
- Jerry Ray’s prosecution for shooting a member of the National State Rights Party in Savannah, Georgia.  
- Grace Stephens’ testimony about the shooting incident involving King, including details on bullet trajectory and her mental health status.  
- Media coverage by *Savannah Morning News*, *Washington Post*, and other outlets; administrative notes on document releases under Executive Order 14176.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Involved in monitoring King’s activities prior to his assassination.  
- Tennessee Department of Corrections: Managed Ray’s incarceration at Brushy Mountain State Prison.  
- U.S. Courts (Tennessee): Presided over legal proceedings related to Ray’s conviction and appeals.  
- National State Rights Party: A white supremacist group linked to Jerry Ray’s alleged shooting incident.  
- Local law enforcement agencies: Including Memphis Police Department, Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, and unnamed jurisdictions.  
- News outlets: *Savannah Morning News*, *Washington Post*, *New York Times*, and *Times Herald* covered events related to the assassination, trials, and political figures.

MLK Declassified Files

190-hq-709_bulky_231_sec_002_ser_231_only-part_02_of_10.pdf

Document Summary

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