</s>RECO-CV RIGHTS Feb 13 1 58 PH 1970 F.B.I. U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE Feb 13 3 10 PH 70 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The text comprises a mix of legal documents, financial agreements, and personal communications related to James Earl Ray’s conviction for assassinating Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. It includes a petition for relief from Ray, alleging systemic flaws in his trial, including conflicts of interest among his attorneys, ineffective counsel, and violations of due process. Financial arrangements between Ray, his legal team, and William Bradford Hume are detailed, highlighting potential motivations for his guilty plea. Personal letters discuss media strategies and financial incentives tied to his case. The documents span February–March 1970, a period of ongoing legal scrutiny following Ray’s 1969 conviction.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Convicted assassin of MLK Jr., petitioner seeking to overturn his conviction.  
- **William Bradford Hume**: Writer and agent involved in financial agreements with Ray.  
- **Percy Foreman**: Attorney representing Ray, negotiating financial arrangements.  
- **Richard Ryan**: Legal figure associated with Ray’s case (implied through references to court proceedings).  
- **Marie Martin/Denino**: Mentioned as a witness or associate of Ray (contextual reference in FBI records).  

Key Locations  
- **Tennessee courts**: Site of Ray’s legal proceedings and appeals.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Location of MLK Jr.’s assassination.  
- **Various locations referenced in FBI documents** (redacted via location codes `<loc_...>`).  

Key Events  
- **Legal petition for relief**: Ray’s attempt to overturn his 1969 conviction, citing ineffective counsel and conflicts of interest.  
- **Financial agreements**: Contracts between Ray, Hume, and Foreman involving book/movie rights and payments.  
- **Media strategies**: Discussions about TV appearances (e.g., *Dick Cavett*) and public exposure as part of legal tactics.  
- **FBI internal records**: Memos referencing interviews with witnesses, evidence handling, and court-related communications.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Involved in surveillance, evidence collection, and internal investigations related to Ray’s case.  
- **Legal teams**: Attorneys representing Ray, including Percy Foreman and Richard Ryan.  
- **Media entities**: Television networks and publishers referenced in financial agreements (e.g., book/movie deals).  

The documents reflect the intersection of legal, financial, and media dynamics surrounding Ray’s conviction, offering insight into post-assassination investigations and the complexities of Cold War-era surveillance.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_26-03-part_2_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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