</s>(Mount Clipping in Space Below) Ray Peads Guilty, Gets 99 Years in King Death (indicate page, name of But Slayer Refuses State Penitentiary about a you! newspaper, city and state). before the assassination, apparently to Agree That There before left of funds saved while it! beres and smiling. 1-1 Los Angeles Time- Was No Conspiracy beres by skeptics of the one- 1-2 Los Angeles, Calif. by JACK NELSON and NICHOLAS C. CHIRES gave shiptles another arguing point by the way of the police. by the law. NICHOLLA C. CIRES. JAMES E. E. GIRES, gave Shiptles other arguing point ploaded guilty Monday to the Ripper famed Houston lawyer Perry Fore- for the first time he was convicted of murder. last April and was sent to a 90-day trial. For not ready to change his plea for not getting a sentence. year term in prison. The sentencing for Ray was not getting sentence brought an unexpected sentence. No Parole for 30 Years a change of plea from innocent brought a suspect sentence. This under which he cannot be consi- brought his unexpected sentence, a possible death sentence. That under which him cannot be investigation and manhunt. In Nashville, Tennessee authorities in the state of Alabama, in the maximum securit- civil rights leader was fatally shot of a shot of An all-male jury in white and 2 Date: 3/11/69 The entire courtroom proceedings Mon-Negros, accepted only after each Judge's testimony was to hear a decision on the plan and 90- Author: Mick Nelson and Judge's court case. Two hours and 37 minutes. that he crossed the United States' client for Mick & Williams major question in a court case in a that he was not at any other U.S. Attorney. Gen. Ramsey Tritle: Gator and search for a King's Hoover. or No evidence of Conspiracy: The judge and attorneys for both Having had not sat quietly, Submitting Office: Toe Angeles sides e.mpha. A phased at Monday's sides of a series of questions with a sides in a conspiracy of the case, evidence of a conspiracy in the case. <loc_80><loc_799>with he was pleading guilty

The documents detail legal proceedings, investigative activities, and debates surrounding the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and James Earl Ray’s conviction for the crime. Ray pleaded guilty to murder in Memphis, Tennessee, and was sentenced to 99 years in prison with no parole for 30 years. The trial, overseen by Judge W. Preston Battle, involved claims that Ray acted alone, though conspiracy theories persisted. Investigations included FBI monitoring of Ray’s movements between Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., as well as scrutiny of his interactions with law enforcement. Legal filings referenced a trust fund plan where Ray allegedly offered to deposit hidden cash from the assassination into a trust account. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Memphis Police Department conducted initial investigations, noting a white Mustang linked to the crime. Ray faced contempt charges against journalists during trial proceedings. A failed prison escape attempt by Ray occurred on February 5, 1972, at an unspecified Tennessee state prison. References to KKK ties and FBI surveillance emerged in later discussions, with some individuals questioning whether Ray acted alone. The documents also include fragmented entries about media coverage, legal appeals for a new trial (denied in 1969), and administrative notes on declassification under Executive Order 14178.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray: Convicted of murdering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., pleaded guilty, sentenced to 99 years in prison.  
- Judge W. Preston Battle: Oversaw trial and sentencing, expressed skepticism about conspiracy theories.  
- Robert Dyer: Mentioned as a witness or legal associate.  
- Judge Arthur Paquin: Handled Ray’s trial and appeals.  
- Sheriff William N. Norwood: Involved in initial investigation.  
- K. Bell: Expressed doubts about the assassination’s solo nature, referenced FBI surveillance.  
- Robert Moore: Warden at state prison where Ray attempted escape.  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee: Site of assassination, trial, and initial investigations.  
- Shelby County Jail: Mentioned in police reports.  
- Nashville State Penitentiary: Linked to Ray’s legal proceedings.  
- Canada and Mexico: Allocated in context of Ray’s alleged movements.  
- Mountain State Prison: Location of Ray’s 1972 escape attempt.  

Key Events  
- 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee.  
- Trial and sentencing of James Earl Ray in Memphis, resulting in a guilty plea and 99-year prison term.  
- Legal appeals by Ray for a new trial, denied by Memphis court in 1969.  
- Contempt charges against journalists during trial proceedings.  
- Failed prison escape attempt by Ray on February 5, 1972.  
- Discussions of conspiracy theories, including potential KKK ties and FBI surveillance.  
- Trust fund plan where Ray allegedly offered to deposit hidden cash into a trust account.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Involved in monitoring Ray’s activities and case investigation.  
- Shelby County Sheriff’s Office: Conducted initial investigations into the assassination.  
- Memphis Police Department: Noted in police reports and communications.  
- U.S. District Court: Handled legal proceedings and contempt charges.  
- Tennessee Highway Patrol: Mentioned in context of vehicle tracking.

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_006-04-part_8_of_9.pdf

Document Summary

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