</s>44-1917 Sub-M-6335 SEARCHED ... INDEXED. SERIALIZED .. F.N.F.M. 1111 0 1969 FBI - MEMP-N13 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document details the legal proceedings surrounding James Earl Ray’s trial for the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on procedural challenges, appeals, and the eventual dismissal of his conviction. Key elements include Ray’s 1968 guilty plea, motions for a new trial citing violations of due process, and references to Tennessee law (Section 17-117) regarding vacating trials due to judicial death or insanity. The case was denied certiorari by the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals in 1969 but was later dismissed in 1977 due to procedural errors linked to the original trial judge’s death, which prevented a retrial. FBI investigations included witness accounts from Doll Coe, who allegedly saw Ray and others preparing for the assassination, and correspondence with Curtis Williams, Coe’s son, who relayed her testimony. The case remains unresolved, with ongoing debates about potential conspiracies involving government agencies.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Convicted of MLK’s assassination in 1968; his conviction was later dismissed due to procedural errors.  
- **Doll Coe**: A Black domestic worker in Somerville, Tennessee, who allegedly witnessed Ray and others preparing for the assassination.  
- **Curtis Williams**: Coe’s son, who provided information about her account to FBI agents in 1969.  
- **Fred Michelson**: A prison inmate with alleged knowledge of Ray but deemed unreliable due to mental instability.  

Key Locations  
- **Shelby County, Tennessee**: Site of Ray’s original trial and conviction.  
- **Somerville, Tennessee**: Location where Doll Coe allegedly witnessed the assassination preparation.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Where FBI agents communicated with Curtis Williams regarding Coe’s testimony.  

Key Events  
- **1968 Conviction**: James Earl Ray was convicted of assassinating MLK and sentenced to death.  
- **Motion for New Trial (1969)**: Ray’s attorneys argued procedural errors in his trial, citing violations of due process and the Tennessee Constitution.  
- **Denial of Certiorari (July 15, 1969)**: The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals denied Ray’s appeal, effectively ending further legal challenges at that level.  
- **Dismissal of Conviction (1977)**: The case was overturned due to procedural errors tied to the original trial judge’s death, which prevented a retrial.  
- **FBI Investigation (1969)**: Agents sought to corroborate Doll Coe’s testimony through her relative Mary Williams and explored leads from prison inmate Fred Michelson.  

Key Organizations  
- **Tennessee Courts**: Including the Shelby County Circuit Court and Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, which handled Ray’s trial and appeals.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into Coe’s account and Ray’s movements, with correspondence from SAC Memphis.  
- **CIA**: Mentioned in broader historical context as a potential agency involved in conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_87-01-part_5_of_7.pdf

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