James Earl Ray Timeline of Events

Home / Timelines / James Earl Ray

James Earl Ray

James Earl Ray was an American criminal convicted of the assassination of civil rights and anti-war activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr....

Timeline of Events

1968

4.4.1968

Martin Luther King, Jr. is assassinated by James Earl Ray at a motel in Memphis, Tennessee.

6.8.1968

James Earl Ray is arrested for the murder of Martin Luther King, Jr.

1969

3.10.1969

In Memphis, Tennessee, James Earl Ray pleads guilty to assassinating Martin Luther King Jr. He later retracts his guilty plea.

1977

6.10.1977

James Earl Ray escapes from Brushy Mountain State Prison in Petros, Tennessee, but is recaptured on June 13.

6.13.1977

Convicted Martin Luther King Jr. assassin James Earl Ray is recaptured after escaping from prison three days before.