James Earl Ray
American criminal, convicted for the murder of civil rights activist and Nobel peace prize laureate Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968
James Earl Ray (March 10, 1928 – April 23, 1998) was the man who was convicted of murdering Martin Luther King, Jr on April 4, 1968. He was sentenced to 99 years in prison.[1] At first he said that he had shot King, but he later said that he did not do it. There are multiple conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination.
James Earl Ray | |
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![]() Mug shot of Ray taken in 1955 | |
Born | |
Died | April 23, 1998 | (aged 70)
Cause of death | Kidney disease and Liver failure caused by Hepatitis C |
Criminal status | dead |
Spouse(s) | Anna Sandhu (m. 1978; div. 1993) |
Parent(s) | James Gerald Ray |
Conviction(s) | Murder, prison escape armed robbery, burglary |
Criminal penalty | 99 years imprisonment (one year was added after his re-capture for a total of 100 years) |
Early life change
He was born in Alton, Illinois. He was convicted of burglary, robbery, theft and forgery during the 1950s.
He escaped from prison in 1967.[2]
Death change
He died in Nashville, Tennessee from liver failure caused by hepatitis C.[1]
References change
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "CNN - James Earl Ray, convicted King assassin, dies - April 23, 1998". edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
- ↑ Crime Library