James Earl Ray

James Earl Ray (March 10, 1928 – April 23, 1998) was the man who was convicted of murdering Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr on April 4, 1968. He was sentenced to 99 years in prison. 

At first, Ray said that he had shot King, but later he claimed he hadn't done the crime. 

 Conspiracy theories 
There are multiple conspiracy theories surrounding King's assassination. Some believe that Ray's white supremacist views caused him to kill King. Others believe Ray did the crime for his own personal ambition and financial gain. 

Many other conspiracies state that King's assassination was a government operation, including King's own family. These theories claim that Ray is innocent.

Early life
Ray was born in Alton, Illinois. He was convicted of burglary, robbery, theft and forgery during the 1950s. 

He escaped from prison in 1967.Crime Library 

Death
He died in Nashville, Tennessee from liver failure caused by hepatitis C.

 Related pages 

 Martin Luther King, Jr.
 American Civil Rights Movement
 Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

References

Category:1928 births
Category:1998 deaths
Category:American burglars
Category:American fraudsters
Category:American murderers
Category:American prisoners
Category:American robbers
Category:American thieves
Category:Assassins
Category:Criminals from Illinois
Category:People from Alton, Illinois
Category:People who died in prison custody in the United States