James Earl Ray

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James Earl Ray
Mug shot of Ray taken in 1955
Born(1928-03-10)March 10, 1928
DiedApril 23, 1998(1998-04-23) (aged 70)
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Cause of deathKidney disease and Liver failure caused by Hepatitis C
Criminal statusDeceased
Spouse(s)
Anna Sandhu
(m. 1978; div. 1993)
ParentJames Gerald Ray
Conviction(s)Murder, prison escape
armed robbery, burglary
Criminal penalty99 years imprisonment (one year was added after his re-capture for a total of 100 years)

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.

Early life[change | change source]

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 | change source]

He died in Nashville, Tennessee from liver failure caused by hepatitis C.[1]

References[change | change source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "CNN - James Earl Ray, convicted King assassin, dies - April 23, 1998". edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
  2. Crime Library