</s>FD-350 (Rev. 7-16-63) (Mount Clipping in Space Below) (Indicate page, name of newspaper, city and state.) 2-A Ray tries to escape prison 2-4-A MIAMI NEWS PETROS, Tenn ., James He was trying to cut an open to Ray, who pleaded guilty to kill him. He was through the roof." Lutt- I was also in the roof. He MIAMI, FLORIDA to kill himself. He had made a placed in the area where he was to escape from the maximum placed in May has been Luther Bronson Jr ., has made a in the area that he has been to escape the maximum the prison but took a wrong security Bronson Mountain Ray tried last spring to es- the prison. He has been to escape him from the the prison, but look a wrong security Branson Mountain the prison compound. When he yesterday, prison compound, when he yesterday. was not allowed to prison compound. when he Nions commissioner, said in He was in the yard Nions Commissioner, said In covered Feb. 5 trying to prison. He is serving 99 years for the ceiling of the prison slaying in Men. prison. covered Feb ., 3 trying to the prison the ceiling to the prison slayin' prison. Is serving 99 year for the ceiling in the prison slaying in Men- was the only thing to prison. This is serving 98 years for the prison in April 1968 of the civil 2/15/72 has had reason to believe. rights leader. Date: Edition: Author: Title: Title: JAMES EARL RAY Character: or Classification: 44-1854 Submitting Office: MIAMI, Fla. Being Investigated. 44-184-73.6 SEARCHED SEARCHID: NOBEDED FERD FEB 16 16 1972 #4-4 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O.E.O, 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI investigations into allegations surrounding the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on James Earl Ray’s 1968 guilty plea and subsequent legal challenges. Mrs. Emilia D. ABBONDANDOLO reported to Miami Police in 1972 that she encountered a Black woman who claimed Corette King paid an unknown Black man $5,000 to kill her husband. The woman alleged the man was later instructed by Corette King to arrange for the assassination. The Miami Police Department and FBI investigated but found no identifiable records linking the complaint to known cases. Later documents reference Ray’s 1968 guilty plea, his 99-year prison sentence, and legal appeals seeking a new trial. The FBI noted ongoing reviews of Ray’s case for potential retrials. Fragmented records also mention court hearings, claims of coerced testimony, evidence suppression, and allegations that Ray was not the sole perpetrator. References include interactions with attorneys like Arthur Hayes and William Bradford Huie, as well as a book about the assassination. Redacted social security numbers are noted in the text but omitted from this summary.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray**: Alleged assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., convicted in 1968 and sentenced to 99 years in prison.  
- **Corette King**: Wife of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., allegedly paid a Black man $5,000 to kill her husband according to Mrs. ABBONDANDOLO’s report.  
- **Mrs. Emilia D. ABBONDANDOLO**: Reported the alleged conspiracy to Miami Police in 1972.  
- **Arthur Hayes**: Attorney involved in Ray’s legal proceedings.  
- **William Bradford Huie**: Writer/author referenced in context of the assassination case.  
- **Perry Foreman**: Involved in legal proceedings related to Ray’s trial.  
- **Robert M. McRae Jr.**: Judge associated with Ray’s legal case.  

Key Locations:  
- **Miami, Florida**: Site of Mrs. ABBONDANDOLO’s report and FBI interviews.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Central to the assassination and trial proceedings.  
- **Coral Gables, Florida**: Residence of Mrs. ABBONDANDOLO.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Mentioned in context of legal proceedings.  

Key Events:  
- **August 3, 1972**: Mrs. ABBONDANDOLO reported the alleged conspiracy to Miami Police.  
- **April 4, 1968**: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.  
- **April 1968**: James Earl Ray pleaded guilty to King’s assassination and received a 99-year sentence.  
- **October 1974**: Legal challenges by Ray seeking a new trial, with FBI noting ongoing reviews of his case.  
- **Court hearings and appeals**: Mentioned in context of claims about coerced testimony, evidence suppression, and conspiracy theories.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into the allegations and legal proceedings related to Ray.  
- **Miami Police Department**: Handled the initial complaint from Mrs. ABBONDANDOLO.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Involved in legal proceedings against Ray.  
- **Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)**: Referenced in context of civil rights advocacy and calls for a new trial.  
- **Legal defense teams**: Represented James Earl Ray during appeals and trials.

MLK Declassified Files

44-mm-1854_v5-part_9_of_9.pdf

Document Summary

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