</s>commissioner, Harry Avery, (except for a thin line circling some writings the property soared in order. 74 that prior to Plastiff's transfer to the aforementioned pentitentiary, Commissioner Avery, the late Governor of Tennessee, Hon. Buford Elington, and Governor Ellington's administrative assistant, Mr. William L. Barry, had decided and committed to writing (eee, Avery testimony in, Ray Vs. Rias- oll, U.S. D. M. D ., M.D. N. D .. Cl. M ., Action No. 5590, 1970) (1970) Plastifitt's treat- sent upon entering C.D ., Act No. 1, Article No. 2, 1999, Lodging of Plastiftift in solitary confinement immediately upon his entering prison. 8. That thereafter on March 13, 1969) when plastiff concerned petitioning the trial court for a new trial trial was said indictment, Consistentoner Avery attempted to persuade Plastifiift against seeking a trial under said indentimentation and after falling that Plastificift against that trial would be would be released from military confinement while he (Avery) was corrections commissioner. 9. That in succeeding years until the present Plastinfift has been arbit- truly locked in solitary confinement/sogregation for approximately five years, during which their has been several suicides by prisoners beca ause of the harassment of the confinement including two (2) who burned them- solves to-death. Soo, Ex-B. 10. That after the aforementioned plan by Plastfift the trial Judge, Non. Preston Battle, departed from Memphis, Tennessee, for a vacation and while on said vacation the then Governor of Tennessean, Hon ., Bufford Ellingston, upon learning of Plattifiift's effort to receive a jury trial under aid in- detections, dispatched State officials to locate Judge Battle to offer him the next Appollite Judge vacancy if the Judge would deny Plastiffs a trial under the petition referred to in paragraph-above. 11, That on or about March 12th 1969 in the prison segregation building Plastifift was confronted through a huge of special agent, Robert Jensen of the Hospice, Tennessee Federal Bureau of Investigation Office. The thrust of "2." Jensen's conversation was seeking cooperation of Plaintiff in furthering the FBI investigation was said of aid, and indentant. When PlastIFF refused the cooperation offer-Mr. Jensen upon departing said Padfittiff could expect Plattifift Brothers (John & Jerry Ray) to join him in prison, or words to that effect, thereafter). -183- 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document details legal proceedings involving James Earl Ray’s guilty plea to the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) on March 1, 1963, in Shelby County, Tennessee. Judge W. Preston Battle confirmed Ray’s understanding of his rights and accepted his voluntary waiver of trial rights for a plea agreement sentencing him to ninety-nine years in state prison. The text also references broader legal challenges, including allegations of judicial misconduct, media libel claims against *TIME* magazine, and FBI involvement in the case. Key figures such as Percy Foreman (Ray’s lawyer), George McMillan (author of a defamatory *TIME* article), and William L. Barry (FBI agent) are mentioned alongside court rulings and prison conditions during Ray’s incarceration.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Alleged assassin of MLK; pleaded guilty to murder in 1963.  
- **W. Preston Battle**: Judge presiding over Ray’s trial in Shelby County, Tennessee.  
- **Percy Foreman**: Lawyer representing Ray in legal proceedings.  
- **George McMillan**: Author of a *TIME* article falsely accusing Ray of MLK’s murder and other crimes.  
- **William L. Barry**: FBI agent linked to the case through legal documents.  

Key Locations  
- **Shelby County, Tennessee**: Site of Ray’s 1963 guilty plea hearing and trial proceedings.  
- **Jefferson City, Missouri**: Mentioned in context of prison conditions during Ray’s incarceration.  
- **Tennessee Department of Corrections**: Managed Ray’s solitary confinement and prison records.  

Key Events  
- **Guilty Plea Hearing (March 1, 1963)**: Ray waived trial rights and accepted a plea agreement for MLK’s murder.  
- **Judicial Proceedings**: Court rulings on evidence suppression and appeals challenging judicial decisions.  
- **Libel Lawsuits**: Legal actions against *TIME* magazine for publishing defamatory articles about Ray.  
- **FBI Involvement**: Mention of FBI agents’ roles in the case through legal documents.  
- **Prison Conditions**: Allegations of solitary confinement and manipulated prison records during Ray’s incarceration.  

Key Organizations  
- **Criminal Court of Shelby County, Tennessee**: Handled Ray’s trial and plea proceedings.  
- **Tennessee Department of Corrections**: Managed Ray’s incarceration and prison records.  
- **FBI**: Involved in investigations related to the MLK assassination case.  
- **TIME Inc.**: Media outlet accused of publishing false claims about Ray’s guilt.  
- **U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals**: Addressed appeals challenging judicial rulings in Ray’s case.

MLK Declassified Files

44-dl-2649-1a_sec_001_ser_1a1-part_8_of_8.pdf

Document Summary

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