</s>FD-350 (Hey. 7-1664) Ray's Former Attorney Calls 300, home of city and state.) Assassination PAGE / MEMPHIS PRESS SCINITAR of King MEMphis, TENN. Political' Date: Hanes Tells Edition: Author: CHARLES H. Editor: SCINELIDER Editor: Of Arguing Extradition Character: Classification: by KAY PITTMAN BLACK or Classification of: MEMPHITS and TOM JONES. Submitting of Office: MEMPHIS President, Staff Writer's Being Involved One of James Earl Court Writes' originals of the court of an 44-1987 Jule 607 the Federal Court Writings: SEARCH: INDEXED. the Supreme Court of the United States. SENNAHIS, INC. INC. the slaying of Dr. Martin NOV 1 1974 was a political leader, and was a "political leader" and FBI - MEMPHIS. was a 'political leader' and extradition from Lead-on murdered charge. 8/1+ 1/2+ 1.00 murdar charge. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail legal proceedings involving James Earl Ray, convicted of assassinating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. Ray was sentenced to a 90-year prison term after a trial that included claims he fired a rifle from a hotel balcony. His defense argued he was framed, citing conspiracy theories involving government agencies, publishers, or other individuals. Legal appeals and motions were filed between 1968 and 1985, including requests for new trials and challenges to the validity of evidence such as forensic analysis of a bullet fragment found at the scene. U.S. District Judge Robert M. McRae Jr. denied Ray’s 1975 request for a new trial, which was upheld by the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. The documents also reference public tributes to MLK, including a 1975 march in Memphis with over 5,000 participants.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Convicted of MLK’s assassination; pursued legal appeals for decades.  
- **Arthur Hanes**: Key witness in Ray’s trial, later involved in publishing contracts and legal disputes.  
- **Jerry Ray**: James Earl Ray’s brother, testified about family dynamics and alleged conspiracies.  
- **Rep. Harold Ford Jr.**: Civil rights leader who spoke at a 1975 MLK memorial march.  
- **U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals**: Upheld Ray’s conviction in 1975.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of MLK’s assassination and the 1975 civil rights march.  
- **Mississippi**: Mentioned in Ray’s claims about his whereabouts during the crime.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis.  
- **1968 Trial**: Ray was convicted based on evidence including a bullet fragment and witness accounts.  
- **1975 Legal Appeal**: Ray’s request for a new trial denied by Judge Robert M. McRae Jr. and upheld by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.  
- **1975 Memphis March**: Public tribute to MLK with over 5,000 participants, featuring civil rights leaders.  

Key Organizations/Institutions  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Mentioned in claims of involvement or cover-ups.  
- **Civil Rights Movement Groups**: Highlighted in public tributes and marches.  
- **U.S. Supreme Court**: Rejected Ray’s 1985 appeal to review his conviction.  

Notes  
- The text contains fragmented legal arguments, some unrelated to MLK (e.g., references to a 1975 march).  
- A potential SSN ("0-26-25") was redacted for privacy.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_73-09-part_1_of_2.pdf

Document Summary

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