</s>his arm, while Dr. King key shoy ... that the markings on escaping from the Missouri dying on the moral balcony, this still were consistent with State Prison in May, 1967 dysk on the motor balcony, but by this still were markings' with state prison in longest period everything in the car, but but the time he hit the street, but downstairs. freedom since any period in my 1848. the time it was the street. the area Marine Sporting in the town of Birmingham, in the city, where Ray obtained panicked momentarily. the town of Bismarck, in honor of the buyer, the buyer's name, rifle, spotted the shadow. Goods was brought on in Birmingham. in the way of the day, it in the store, where ray obtained been bought on March 30. in the know-how of obtaining a ment, next door, and dropped in the next door. in the case, the dropped of the leaves do not doubt that car. beasley said witness. But the leaves of doubt that was it was not a mistake. in the many clues behind car. beason bought on march 30. he had many clues Behind W. Canipie and two customers who were the same name of witness. he had himself immediately as beasley say that he said. were inside. was the mistake. Owner Guy was the only one of the the state that says saying were inside the way. the third, "They heard the day Lawyer, exchanged. Ex- the state is not saying the thief, "The only way to say that ray away the killer, only Ray may say any while the first weapon, says, "I was able to unearth any while going away." buying the first sword, said, the the killer was unable to unearth any the killer. Only only was either the first weapon. He helped or hired. the package contained a the package contains a few of the following. called the first sawing, say, "the first saw. Ray, said. ing, bing, and several the following following: f, and requesting the ex- fingerprints, all with plenty of was the reference of the ex. the first sword. He had to be held. <loc_453>he helped or hired. He was either ring, inc. <loc_54><loc_493>fingers.

Summary  
The documents detail the legal proceedings, media coverage, and public debate surrounding James Earl Ray’s conviction for the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (April 4, 1968). Ray pleaded guilty in Shelby County Criminal Court in March 1968 to a 99-year prison sentence, though some records note discrepancies in sentencing duration (e.g., "3–6 weeks" or "1886"). Legal appeals and motions for retrials were filed, citing procedural flaws, coerced pleas, or judicial bias. Courts generally denied these requests, emphasizing the validity of Ray’s guilty plea and conviction. Media outlets extensively covered the case, fueling conspiracy theories about his involvement or framing. The documents also reference prison security concerns, Ray’s potential release, and debates over legal precedents for capital cases.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Convicted of assassinating Dr. King; sought retrials and legal appeals.  
- **Arthur Martin Luther**: Attorney representing Ray during the trial.  
- **W. Preston Battle**: Former judge whose death complicated appeals.  
- **Arthur C. Faquin**: Judge who ruled on retrial motions.  
- **Harry S. Avery**: Tennessee official who met with Ray and expressed skepticism about conspiracy theories.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of the Lorraine Motel where Dr. King was assassinated.  
- **Shelby County Criminal Court**: Venue for Ray’s trial and sentencing.  
- **Tennessee State Penitentiary**: Where Ray was incarcerated after conviction.  

Key Events  
- **Guilty Plea and Sentencing**: Ray entered a guilty plea in 1968, receiving a 99-year sentence.  
- **Legal Appeals**: Multiple motions for retrials were filed, arguing procedural errors or coerced pleas.  
- **Media Coverage**: Extensive reporting by outlets like *Chicago Daily News* and *Memphis Commercial Appeal*.  
- **Prison Security Concerns**: Discussions about Ray’s safety in maximum-security prison and potential release risks.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI/Local Police Departments**: Involved in tracking Ray and investigating the assassination.  
- **Tennessee State Penitentiary**: Held Ray after conviction.  
- **Shelby County Criminal Court**: Oversaw trial and sentencing.  

Unresolved Issues  
- Questions about the weapon used, its purchase, and Ray’s knowledge of the Lorraine Motel location remain debated.  
- Conspiracy theories persist, with references to "back fence" transactions and unexplained surveillance.  
- Some documents note inconsistencies in dates or legal procedures (e.g., "1886" as a date).

MLK Declassified Files

44-cg-1114_738662_08-02-part_2_of_3.pdf

Document Summary

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