James Earl Ray

James Earl Ray (1928-1998) was an American criminal convicted of assassinating civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee.

Ray, a known petty criminal and escapee from a Missouri prison, pleaded guilty to King's murder on March 10, 1969, and was sentenced to 99 years in prison. He quickly recanted his confession, claiming he was pressured to plead guilty and that he was part of a larger conspiracy.

For the remainder of his life, Ray sought to have his case reopened, maintaining his innocence and pushing for a trial. His claims of conspiracy included allegations against the U.S. government, organized crime, and others.

Despite various investigations, including one by the House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA), which concluded that Ray fired the shot that killed King but that a conspiracy might have been involved, no conclusive evidence of Ray's innocence or of a broader conspiracy has been definitively proven. The HSCA's report is itself controversial, with some aspects disputed.

Ray's case has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and legal challenges. His death in 1998 from liver disease brought an end to his legal efforts, but the circumstances surrounding King's assassination continue to be debated and investigated. While Ray confessed and was convicted, the lingering questions about his motives and potential involvement with others ensure that the case remains a significant and controversial chapter in American history.