Who Killed Martin Luther King Jr.? His Family Believes James Earl Ray Was Framed
By Tom
Jackman, Medium, April 4, 2018
“There is
abundant evidence,” Coretta King said after the verdict, “of a major,
high-level conspiracy in the assassination of my husband.”
abundant evidence,” Coretta King said after the verdict, “of a major,
high-level conspiracy in the assassination of my husband.”
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| Photo: Stephen F. Somerstein/Getty Images |
In the
five decades since Martin Luther King Jr. was shot dead by an assassin at age
39, his children have worked tirelessly to preserve his legacy, sometimes with
sharply different views on how best to do that. But they are unanimous on one
key point: James Earl Ray did not kill Martin Luther King.
For the
King family and others in the civil rights movement, the FBI’s obsession with
King in the years leading up to his slaying in Memphis on April 4, 1968 – pervasive surveillance, a malicious disinformation
campaign and open denunciations by FBI director J. Edgar Hoover – laid the groundwork for their belief that he was
the target of a plot.
King family and others in the civil rights movement, the FBI’s obsession with
King in the years leading up to his slaying in Memphis on April 4, 1968 – pervasive surveillance, a malicious disinformation
campaign and open denunciations by FBI director J. Edgar Hoover – laid the groundwork for their belief that he was
the target of a plot.
“It pains
my heart,” said Bernice King, 55, the youngest of Martin Luther King’s four
children and the executive director of the King Center in Atlanta, “that James
Earl Ray had to spend his life in prison paying for things he didn’t do.”
my heart,” said Bernice King, 55, the youngest of Martin Luther King’s four
children and the executive director of the King Center in Atlanta, “that James
Earl Ray had to spend his life in prison paying for things he didn’t do.”
Until her
own death in 2006, Coretta Scott King, who endured the FBI’s campaign to
discredit her husband, was open in her belief that a conspiracy led to the
assassination. Her family filed a civil suit in 1999 to force more information
into the public eye, and a Memphis jury ruled that the local, state and federal
governments were liable for King’s death. The full transcript of the trial
remains posted on the King Center’s website.
own death in 2006, Coretta Scott King, who endured the FBI’s campaign to
discredit her husband, was open in her belief that a conspiracy led to the
assassination. Her family filed a civil suit in 1999 to force more information
into the public eye, and a Memphis jury ruled that the local, state and federal
governments were liable for King’s death. The full transcript of the trial
remains posted on the King Center’s website.
“There is
abundant evidence,” Coretta King said after the verdict, “of a major,
high-level conspiracy in the assassination of my husband.” The jury found the
mafia and various government agencies “were deeply involved in the
assassination. . . . Mr. Ray was set up to take the blame.”
abundant evidence,” Coretta King said after the verdict, “of a major,
high-level conspiracy in the assassination of my husband.” The jury found the
mafia and various government agencies “were deeply involved in the
assassination. . . . Mr. Ray was set up to take the blame.”
But
nothing changed afterward. No vast sums of money were awarded (the Kings sought
only $100), and Ray was not exonerated.
nothing changed afterward. No vast sums of money were awarded (the Kings sought
only $100), and Ray was not exonerated.
King’s
two other surviving children, Dexter, 57, and Martin III, 60, fully agree that
Ray was innocent. And their view of the case is shared by other respected black
leaders.
two other surviving children, Dexter, 57, and Martin III, 60, fully agree that
Ray was innocent. And their view of the case is shared by other respected black
leaders.
“I think
there was a major conspiracy to remove Dr. King from the American scene,” said
Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., a 78-year-old civil rights icon. “I don’t know what
happened, but the truth of what happened to Dr. King should be made available
for history’s sake.”
there was a major conspiracy to remove Dr. King from the American scene,” said
Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., a 78-year-old civil rights icon. “I don’t know what
happened, but the truth of what happened to Dr. King should be made available
for history’s sake.”
Andrew
Young, the former U.N. ambassador and Atlanta mayor who was at the Lorraine
Motel with King when he was shot there, agrees. “I would not accept the fact
that James Earl Ray pulled the trigger, and that’s all that matters,” said
Young, who noted that King’s death came after the killings of John F. Kennedy
and Malcolm X and just months before the slaying of Robert F. Kennedy.
Young, the former U.N. ambassador and Atlanta mayor who was at the Lorraine
Motel with King when he was shot there, agrees. “I would not accept the fact
that James Earl Ray pulled the trigger, and that’s all that matters,” said
Young, who noted that King’s death came after the killings of John F. Kennedy
and Malcolm X and just months before the slaying of Robert F. Kennedy.
“We were
living in the period of assassinations,” Young said.
living in the period of assassinations,” Young said.
Conspiracies
have long gripped the American imagination, from JFK’s assassination in 1963 to
Deputy White House Counsel Vince Foster’s suicide in 1993 to Democratic
National Committee staffer Seth Rich’s slaying in 2016.
have long gripped the American imagination, from JFK’s assassination in 1963 to
Deputy White House Counsel Vince Foster’s suicide in 1993 to Democratic
National Committee staffer Seth Rich’s slaying in 2016.
Dave
Garrow, a Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer of MLK, said that “the King
children are part of a larger population of American people who need to believe
that the assassination of a King or a Kennedy must be the work of mightier
forces” rather than victims “of small-fry, lifetime losers.”
Garrow, a Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer of MLK, said that “the King
children are part of a larger population of American people who need to believe
that the assassination of a King or a Kennedy must be the work of mightier
forces” rather than victims “of small-fry, lifetime losers.”
“People
need to see something of a balance between effect and cause,” Garrow said.
“That if something has a huge evil effect, it should be the result of a huge
evil cause.”
need to see something of a balance between effect and cause,” Garrow said.
“That if something has a huge evil effect, it should be the result of a huge
evil cause.”
Entitled
to know the truth
to know the truth
Even
those who believe that Ray, who died in prison in 1998, killed King tend to
think that he received assistance from someone, whether it was his two brothers
or the FBI or the Mafia.
those who believe that Ray, who died in prison in 1998, killed King tend to
think that he received assistance from someone, whether it was his two brothers
or the FBI or the Mafia.
Because
Ray suddenly pleaded guilty in 1969, less than a year after the shooting, there
was no trial. The largest government investigation, led by the House Select
Committee on Assassinations under chief counsel Robert Blakey, theorized in
1979 that Ray committed the killing in the hope of collecting a $50,000 bounty
offered by supporters of then-presidential candidate George Wallace in St.
Louis, where Ray’s brothers lived.
Ray suddenly pleaded guilty in 1969, less than a year after the shooting, there
was no trial. The largest government investigation, led by the House Select
Committee on Assassinations under chief counsel Robert Blakey, theorized in
1979 that Ray committed the killing in the hope of collecting a $50,000 bounty
offered by supporters of then-presidential candidate George Wallace in St.
Louis, where Ray’s brothers lived.
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|
The front
page of The Washington Post on April 5, 1968 |
But there
was no definitive evidence to prove the theory, and the Wallace supporters were
dead by 1979. Blakey said recently he had tried to prove a conspiracy but could
not. If the FBI or CIA was involved, they had destroyed the documentation of it
by 1979, he said.
was no definitive evidence to prove the theory, and the Wallace supporters were
dead by 1979. Blakey said recently he had tried to prove a conspiracy but could
not. If the FBI or CIA was involved, they had destroyed the documentation of it
by 1979, he said.
“I have
no stake in our outcome,” Blakey said. “You come up with a better outcome, with
evidence to support it, I’ll support your theory.” He remains adamant that Ray
was the gunman but likely had help that should have been investigated in 1968
and was not.
no stake in our outcome,” Blakey said. “You come up with a better outcome, with
evidence to support it, I’ll support your theory.” He remains adamant that Ray
was the gunman but likely had help that should have been investigated in 1968
and was not.
John
Campbell, who investigated the case for years in the Shelby County, Tennessee,
district attorney’s office, said that Ray’s version of events “kept changing.”
His office issued a report in 1998 saying Ray was responsible.
Campbell, who investigated the case for years in the Shelby County, Tennessee,
district attorney’s office, said that Ray’s version of events “kept changing.”
His office issued a report in 1998 saying Ray was responsible.
“I’m not
saying he didn’t have help,” Campbell said. “But he didn’t have the FBI, the
CIA, the Memphis police or the Mafia.”
saying he didn’t have help,” Campbell said. “But he didn’t have the FBI, the
CIA, the Memphis police or the Mafia.”
After
Coretta King and her family pleaded with President Bill Clinton in 1998 to
reinvestigate the case, Attorney General Janet Reno assigned civil rights
special counsel Barry Kowalski, who previously prosecuted the Los Angeles
police officers in the Rodney King beating, to review the newest conspiracy
allegations. In 2000, even after reviewing the results of the 1999 civil trial
in Memphis, Kowalski concluded that Ray was guilty and that there was no
government conspiracy.
Coretta King and her family pleaded with President Bill Clinton in 1998 to
reinvestigate the case, Attorney General Janet Reno assigned civil rights
special counsel Barry Kowalski, who previously prosecuted the Los Angeles
police officers in the Rodney King beating, to review the newest conspiracy
allegations. In 2000, even after reviewing the results of the 1999 civil trial
in Memphis, Kowalski concluded that Ray was guilty and that there was no
government conspiracy.
Astride
all this controversy for the last 40 years has been William Pepper, a New York
lawyer and civil rights activist who knew and worked with King. Pepper first
visited Ray in prison in 1978 along with Ralph Abernathy, one of King’s closest
associates. Pepper became convinced of Ray’s innocence and continued to
investigate the case even after Ray died.
all this controversy for the last 40 years has been William Pepper, a New York
lawyer and civil rights activist who knew and worked with King. Pepper first
visited Ray in prison in 1978 along with Ralph Abernathy, one of King’s closest
associates. Pepper became convinced of Ray’s innocence and continued to
investigate the case even after Ray died.
Pepper
wrote three books outlining the conspiracy, most recently “The Plot to Kill
King” in 2016, which were largely ignored by the media.
wrote three books outlining the conspiracy, most recently “The Plot to Kill
King” in 2016, which were largely ignored by the media.
He
defended Ray in a mock trial on HBO in 1993 (Ray was found not guilty), and
filed and tried the Memphis civil suit that found the government liable for
King’s death.
defended Ray in a mock trial on HBO in 1993 (Ray was found not guilty), and
filed and tried the Memphis civil suit that found the government liable for
King’s death.
 |
|
William
Pepper, shown here in his New York office, has never stopped
investigating the
King assassination. He does not believe James Earl Ray was the killer.
Photo:
Michael Noble Jr. for The Washington Post |
He has
spoken around the world to anyone who will listen, including recently at the
National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, where King was killed.
Pepper was sued once for defamation, by an Army soldier he accused of
participating in the conspiracy, and a South Carolina judge entered an $11
million default judgment against him in 2000.
In recent
years, Pepper has tracked down witnesses in Memphis who support his theory of
the case: that J. Edgar Hoover used his longtime assistant, Clyde Tolson, to
deliver cash to members of the Memphis underworld, that those shadowy figures
then hired a sharpshooting Memphis police officer, and that officer – not Ray – fired the fatal shot.
years, Pepper has tracked down witnesses in Memphis who support his theory of
the case: that J. Edgar Hoover used his longtime assistant, Clyde Tolson, to
deliver cash to members of the Memphis underworld, that those shadowy figures
then hired a sharpshooting Memphis police officer, and that officer – not Ray – fired the fatal shot.
The King
family has lauded Pepper repeatedly, and he was honored by the Southern Christian
Leadership Conference for his “unceasing commitment in the pursuit of justice.”
family has lauded Pepper repeatedly, and he was honored by the Southern Christian
Leadership Conference for his “unceasing commitment in the pursuit of justice.”
“I think
the people of this country are entitled to know the truth,” Pepper said. “I say
that in the hope of creating an awareness of how this happened, and that the
involvement of government in these events may cease with respect to other
leaders who will emerge.”
the people of this country are entitled to know the truth,” Pepper said. “I say
that in the hope of creating an awareness of how this happened, and that the
involvement of government in these events may cease with respect to other
leaders who will emerge.”
And so
after 50 years, the King assassination seems destined to remain mired in
controversy, the subject of infinite debate over whether Ray was a lone gunman inspired
by racism, a hired assassin aided by secret government forces, or simply a
patsy manipulated to kill a civil rights hero.
after 50 years, the King assassination seems destined to remain mired in
controversy, the subject of infinite debate over whether Ray was a lone gunman inspired
by racism, a hired assassin aided by secret government forces, or simply a
patsy manipulated to kill a civil rights hero.
Did you
kill my father?
kill my father?
Ray was
born in 1928 and grew up outside St. Louis. His chosen profession was theft and
armed robbery, and after his third felony conviction in 1959, he was sentenced
to 20 years in the Missouri State Penitentiary. He escaped from the prison in
April 1967, and some believe he had help from prison authorities, as part of
the opening stanza of the conspiracy.
born in 1928 and grew up outside St. Louis. His chosen profession was theft and
armed robbery, and after his third felony conviction in 1959, he was sentenced
to 20 years in the Missouri State Penitentiary. He escaped from the prison in
April 1967, and some believe he had help from prison authorities, as part of
the opening stanza of the conspiracy.
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|
Photo:
Bettmann/Getty Images |
Ray moved
around while on the lam, staying in Chicago, Los Angeles, Mexico and Canada
over the next year. He has claimed that while in Montreal he met a man named
Raul, of varying physical descriptions over the years, who enlisted him in
several small gunrunning schemes, and instructed him to buy a rifle in
Birmingham, Ala.
around while on the lam, staying in Chicago, Los Angeles, Mexico and Canada
over the next year. He has claimed that while in Montreal he met a man named
Raul, of varying physical descriptions over the years, who enlisted him in
several small gunrunning schemes, and instructed him to buy a rifle in
Birmingham, Ala.
On the
afternoon of April 4, Ray checked into a boardinghouse in Memphis, with a bar
called Jim’s Grill on the first floor. He paid $8.50 for a week’s stay. The
rear of the boardinghouse faced the Lorraine Motel across Mulberry Street.
afternoon of April 4, Ray checked into a boardinghouse in Memphis, with a bar
called Jim’s Grill on the first floor. He paid $8.50 for a week’s stay. The
rear of the boardinghouse faced the Lorraine Motel across Mulberry Street.
King was
standing on the balcony of the Lorraine outside room 306 when a single rifle
bullet was fired into his lower jaw at 6:01 p.m. He died an hour later at St.
Joseph’s Hospital. The rifle Ray had purchased in Birmingham was found near the
front of the boardinghouse with Ray’s fingerprints on it. Those are about the
only facts that aren’t in dispute.
standing on the balcony of the Lorraine outside room 306 when a single rifle
bullet was fired into his lower jaw at 6:01 p.m. He died an hour later at St.
Joseph’s Hospital. The rifle Ray had purchased in Birmingham was found near the
front of the boardinghouse with Ray’s fingerprints on it. Those are about the
only facts that aren’t in dispute.
According
to the criminal justice system of the state of Tennessee, James Earl Ray fired
the shot from the second-floor bathroom of the boardinghouse. He then grabbed
some belongings in a blanket, stashed the rifle in it, left the building and
dropped the bundle in the doorway of a nearby building.
to the criminal justice system of the state of Tennessee, James Earl Ray fired
the shot from the second-floor bathroom of the boardinghouse. He then grabbed
some belongings in a blanket, stashed the rifle in it, left the building and
dropped the bundle in the doorway of a nearby building.
He drove
away in a white Ford Mustang before the area was barricaded, went to Atlanta and
then to Canada and England before being arrested in July 1968.
away in a white Ford Mustang before the area was barricaded, went to Atlanta and
then to Canada and England before being arrested in July 1968.
Ray
pleaded guilty to the murder of King nine months later, on March 10, 1969. He
signed a detailed stipulation of facts to the shooting, having had weeks to
review it, asking only that a reference to his activities for George Wallace be
deleted.
pleaded guilty to the murder of King nine months later, on March 10, 1969. He
signed a detailed stipulation of facts to the shooting, having had weeks to
review it, asking only that a reference to his activities for George Wallace be
deleted.
In court,
Ray answered the standard series of questions about whether he was knowingly
and voluntarily admitting he committed murder. In exchange for his plea,
prosecutors did not seek the death penalty and Ray was sentenced to 99 years in
prison. Officially: case closed.
Ray answered the standard series of questions about whether he was knowingly
and voluntarily admitting he committed murder. In exchange for his plea,
prosecutors did not seek the death penalty and Ray was sentenced to 99 years in
prison. Officially: case closed.
Within
days, Ray filed a motion to withdraw his plea, claiming he had been coerced by
his attorney and the FBI. Three decades of legal machinations never succeeded
in reopening the case, but they revealed new details and led to new theories of
how King might have been killed.
days, Ray filed a motion to withdraw his plea, claiming he had been coerced by
his attorney and the FBI. Three decades of legal machinations never succeeded
in reopening the case, but they revealed new details and led to new theories of
how King might have been killed.
At the
same time, the misconduct of J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI was coming to light.
Hoover had ordered surveillance, wiretaps and listening devices placed in King’s
rooms starting in 1963, apparently infuriated by King’s criticism of the FBI
for not having black agents or investigating civil rights cases.
same time, the misconduct of J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI was coming to light.
Hoover had ordered surveillance, wiretaps and listening devices placed in King’s
rooms starting in 1963, apparently infuriated by King’s criticism of the FBI
for not having black agents or investigating civil rights cases.
Recordings
and photos of King having sex with women other than his wife were offered to
reporters and government officials, often by Hoover himself, and sent to King
associates. Hoover once told a group of reporters, on the record, that King was
“the most notorious liar in the country.”
and photos of King having sex with women other than his wife were offered to
reporters and government officials, often by Hoover himself, and sent to King
associates. Hoover once told a group of reporters, on the record, that King was
“the most notorious liar in the country.”
Coretta
King and Abernathy, aware of the FBI campaign, immediately suspected FBI
involvement after King’s death. But Ray’s sudden guilty plea stopped all
official investigations.
King and Abernathy, aware of the FBI campaign, immediately suspected FBI
involvement after King’s death. But Ray’s sudden guilty plea stopped all
official investigations.
Asked
about the King family’s suspicions, an FBI spokesman responded in a statement
that the government has revisited the assassination four times: “Findings from
these reviews support the FBI’s conclusion that James Earl Ray, acting alone,
fired a rifle once, fatally wounding Dr. King on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine
Motel.”
about the King family’s suspicions, an FBI spokesman responded in a statement
that the government has revisited the assassination four times: “Findings from
these reviews support the FBI’s conclusion that James Earl Ray, acting alone,
fired a rifle once, fatally wounding Dr. King on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine
Motel.”
James
Lawson, a Memphis pastor and civil rights institution who helped mentor King,
said he began visiting Ray in the Memphis jail in 1969 when Ray complained
about being held in solitary confinement. He continued to visit Ray until his
death and presided over his funeral.
Lawson, a Memphis pastor and civil rights institution who helped mentor King,
said he began visiting Ray in the Memphis jail in 1969 when Ray complained
about being held in solitary confinement. He continued to visit Ray until his
death and presided over his funeral.
“There
were things in Memphis that were suspicious and raised questions in my mind,”
Lawson said. “I never saw those questions answered.”
were things in Memphis that were suspicious and raised questions in my mind,”
Lawson said. “I never saw those questions answered.”
Lawson
assisted Pepper and the King family over the years in their investigation,
during which Dexter King and Andrew Young participated in interviews with
witnesses.
assisted Pepper and the King family over the years in their investigation,
during which Dexter King and Andrew Young participated in interviews with
witnesses.
“I’m
satisfied beyond a shadow of a doubt,” Lawson said, “that James Earl Ray
neither pulled the trigger nor plotted to kill Martin Luther King.”
satisfied beyond a shadow of a doubt,” Lawson said, “that James Earl Ray
neither pulled the trigger nor plotted to kill Martin Luther King.”
Ray began
to claim that the man he knew only as Raul was present in Memphis on April 4,
and that Ray himself was at a nearby gas station when the shot was fired. No
one saw the actual shot fired. The screen from the bathroom window was found on
the ground below.
to claim that the man he knew only as Raul was present in Memphis on April 4,
and that Ray himself was at a nearby gas station when the shot was fired. No
one saw the actual shot fired. The screen from the bathroom window was found on
the ground below.
Some
witnesses, including then-New York Times reporter Earl Caldwell, said they saw
a man moving in the thick bushes behind Jim’s Grill, below the bathroom. For
reasons unknown, Memphis public works employees cut down the bushes and
destroyed a possible crime scene the very next morning.
witnesses, including then-New York Times reporter Earl Caldwell, said they saw
a man moving in the thick bushes behind Jim’s Grill, below the bathroom. For
reasons unknown, Memphis public works employees cut down the bushes and
destroyed a possible crime scene the very next morning.
Ballistics
tests could not prove that the rifle dropped outside the boardinghouse, a
Remington .30–06 Gamemaster, either did or didn’t fire the fatal shot,
because the gun did not create distinctive grooves on the bullet, as most guns
do.
tests could not prove that the rifle dropped outside the boardinghouse, a
Remington .30–06 Gamemaster, either did or didn’t fire the fatal shot,
because the gun did not create distinctive grooves on the bullet, as most guns
do.
“That
weapon was not the weapon,” Martin Luther King III said. “You’re going to kill
somebody and then drop the gun right there?” Ray claimed that he had given the
gun to Raul, but only Ray’s fingerprints were on the gun.
weapon was not the weapon,” Martin Luther King III said. “You’re going to kill
somebody and then drop the gun right there?” Ray claimed that he had given the
gun to Raul, but only Ray’s fingerprints were on the gun.
Pepper
and his investigators worked for years to locate Raul and eventually they
identified an autoworker from Yonkers, New York, as the man they believe
manipulated Ray. The man denied any involvement and cooperated with Justice
Department investigators in 1999, who found work records showing he could not
have traveled widely to meet Ray in 1967 and ’68. Pepper said the CIA could
have fabricated the records.
and his investigators worked for years to locate Raul and eventually they
identified an autoworker from Yonkers, New York, as the man they believe
manipulated Ray. The man denied any involvement and cooperated with Justice
Department investigators in 1999, who found work records showing he could not
have traveled widely to meet Ray in 1967 and ’68. Pepper said the CIA could
have fabricated the records.
Then Loyd
Jowers, the owner of Jim’s Grill, began claiming publicly that he was involved
in a conspiracy to kill King. He had consistently denied any knowledge of the
case for a quarter-century, but now he alleged the gunman was a Memphis police
officer who fired from the bushes behind the grill, then handed Jowers the
murder weapon. Jowers stashed the rifle behind the bar and said it was later
picked up by Raul and tossed in the Mississippi River.
Jowers, the owner of Jim’s Grill, began claiming publicly that he was involved
in a conspiracy to kill King. He had consistently denied any knowledge of the
case for a quarter-century, but now he alleged the gunman was a Memphis police
officer who fired from the bushes behind the grill, then handed Jowers the
murder weapon. Jowers stashed the rifle behind the bar and said it was later
picked up by Raul and tossed in the Mississippi River.
More
Memphis witnesses came forward, including a former girlfriend of Jowers, who
said she saw him with the rifle shortly after the gunshot rang out, and saw him
break it down and place it in the bar.
Memphis witnesses came forward, including a former girlfriend of Jowers, who
said she saw him with the rifle shortly after the gunshot rang out, and saw him
break it down and place it in the bar.
In 1997,
Dexter King went with Pepper to meet Ray in prison, and was photographed
shaking Ray’s hand. Pepper said Dexter King asked Ray, “Did you kill my
father?” and that Ray answered, “No, I didn’t.” He said Dexter King told Ray,
“We will do everything in our power to see that justice prevails.”
Dexter King went with Pepper to meet Ray in prison, and was photographed
shaking Ray’s hand. Pepper said Dexter King asked Ray, “Did you kill my
father?” and that Ray answered, “No, I didn’t.” He said Dexter King told Ray,
“We will do everything in our power to see that justice prevails.”
Dexter
King called his family together, his brother Martin said in an interview, and
urged them to file a civil suit against Jowers as a means of seeking the truth.
A Shelby County jury heard more than 70 witnesses over 30 days, ruled that
Jowers and unknown government entities were liable, and awarded the Kings $100.
King called his family together, his brother Martin said in an interview, and
urged them to file a civil suit against Jowers as a means of seeking the truth.
A Shelby County jury heard more than 70 witnesses over 30 days, ruled that
Jowers and unknown government entities were liable, and awarded the Kings $100.
The
family wasn’t seeking money, just information. “For both our family and the
nation,” Coretta King said after the verdict, “we had to get involved, because
the system did not work.”
family wasn’t seeking money, just information. “For both our family and the
nation,” Coretta King said after the verdict, “we had to get involved, because
the system did not work.”
The
verdict came as the Justice Department was reinvestigating the case because of
Jowers’ claims and those of a former FBI agent who said he had found evidence
in Ray’s car in 1968 linking him to Raul but had withheld it until 1997.
verdict came as the Justice Department was reinvestigating the case because of
Jowers’ claims and those of a former FBI agent who said he had found evidence
in Ray’s car in 1968 linking him to Raul but had withheld it until 1997.
In 2000,
the report authored by assistant attorney general Barry Kowalski found that
Jowers had changed his story repeatedly and that neither he nor the ex-FBI
agent were credible. Campbell said Jowers had been recorded saying that he
would tailor his story for financial gain.
the report authored by assistant attorney general Barry Kowalski found that
Jowers had changed his story repeatedly and that neither he nor the ex-FBI
agent were credible. Campbell said Jowers had been recorded saying that he
would tailor his story for financial gain.
“Our
thorough investigation,” Kowalski said recently, “just like four official
investigations before it, found no credible or reliable evidence that Dr. King
was killed by conspirators who framed James Earl Ray. Twenty years later, I
remain absolutely convinced this well-supported finding is correct.”
thorough investigation,” Kowalski said recently, “just like four official
investigations before it, found no credible or reliable evidence that Dr. King
was killed by conspirators who framed James Earl Ray. Twenty years later, I
remain absolutely convinced this well-supported finding is correct.”
The King family
disagrees, with Martin King III adopting Pepper’s theory of Hoover directing
the murder. “I believe that’s exactly what happened,” said Martin King III.
“Hoover was so angry, he had hate in his heart. Certainly he hated Dad. He had
a vehement hatred of folks of color.”
disagrees, with Martin King III adopting Pepper’s theory of Hoover directing
the murder. “I believe that’s exactly what happened,” said Martin King III.
“Hoover was so angry, he had hate in his heart. Certainly he hated Dad. He had
a vehement hatred of folks of color.”
Not
everyone in the Kings’ circle agrees with the full extent of Pepper’s
investigation, but they agree that Ray was framed.
everyone in the Kings’ circle agrees with the full extent of Pepper’s
investigation, but they agree that Ray was framed.
“It’s
still a mystery to me,” Bernice King said. “I don’t believe James Earl Ray
killed my father. It’s hard to know exactly who. I’m certainly clear that there
has been a conspiracy, from the government down to the
mafia . . . there had to be more than one person involved in all
of this. I think it was all planned.”
still a mystery to me,” Bernice King said. “I don’t believe James Earl Ray
killed my father. It’s hard to know exactly who. I’m certainly clear that there
has been a conspiracy, from the government down to the
mafia . . . there had to be more than one person involved in all
of this. I think it was all planned.”
On April
4, Bernice King will lead commemorative events in Atlanta, including a wreath
laying at her father’s grave, a ceremony awarding Martin Luther King Peace
Prizes, a reception for children and a March for Humanity through the city.
Then, at 6:01 p.m., she will lead a bell-ringing at the exact moment of the
shooting, 39 times for every year of her father’s life, certain that the person
who killed him has never been caught.
4, Bernice King will lead commemorative events in Atlanta, including a wreath
laying at her father’s grave, a ceremony awarding Martin Luther King Peace
Prizes, a reception for children and a March for Humanity through the city.
Then, at 6:01 p.m., she will lead a bell-ringing at the exact moment of the
shooting, 39 times for every year of her father’s life, certain that the person
who killed him has never been caught.
