Martin Luther King Assassination

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Martin Luther King Assassination (word count for research paper includes 1,400 word outline) It was a glorious April 4th evening as Martin Luther King and hundreds of followers were gathering for a civil rights march. Many cheered on as the civil rights leader graciously out step on the second floor balcony of the Motel Lorraine. Roaring cheers rose from the crowd rose up as Martin Luther King stand there waving his arm with his heart warming smile waiting for the uprising taper off so he can continue with his speech. When suddenly a piercing blast broke the noise and the crowd’s cheerful spirit died. A cold chill went through all who were present fore in the back of their minds there was no doubt that their King had just been shot. Just what exactly happened on April 4th, 1968 at 6:01PM? Just how many sides does this story have? The events surrounding Martin Luther King's death remain controversial to this day, after more than 30 years after the fact. The accepted story is a man named James Earl Ray was the assassin however, there are many contradictions to that conclusion. One must come to realize the accepted story is wrong, a cover up has deceived the public for over 30 years, James Earl Ray did not kill Martin Luther King; Martin Luther King was assassinated by a government conspiracy. To clarify the fact James Earl Ray is not an assassin one must look toward his reputation. James Earl Ray was born into a poor family and was the first of nine children. Being that some of his childhood was during the depression he probably was the type to fight for his own well being. In January of 1946 Ray joined the army. (Clarke 243) While in the army Ray sold cigarettes, drank, fought, and he was eventually discharged. From 1949-1959 Ray did many robberies and when, in 1959, he was finally caught he was sentenced to 20 years in prison (Clarke 244) Ray Later attempted escape in 1960, in 1966, and was successful on April 23rd, 1967. (Clarke 245) Ray, during this time never showed any serious acts of threatening or hurting anyone. (Clarke 244) So why would Ray suddenly turn into assassin and kill someone who has a slim effect on him? Perhaps the reason authorities were so irritated by Martin Luther King’s protests would be on the account of the fact he does nothing wrong. “His efforts successfully merged the anti-Vietnam war movement ... ... middle of paper ... ...ing him, and the expectation was that there would be a well-publicized trial rather than a brief in which Ray admitted his guilt and was sentenced.” (Clark 240) D) Three days after his plea Ray hire a new attorney and filed a motion to renounce the plea E) When the judge was considering this motion 1) He literally dropped dead of a heart attack 2) His head was found in the papers Ray had filed F) Under the circumstances, according to Tennessee law, the motion should have been granted G) Every petition Ray filed after that was denied IX. Ray Confronting the King Family (Overbeck 11/17/00) A) After Dexter Scott King heard Ray’s side to the story he said’ “Having met with James Earl Ray, I believe and my family believes this man is innocent” B) To this day the King tries to prove there was a conspiracy X. Conclusion A) The condemnation of James Earl Ray has been a cover up has deceived the public for over 30 years, James Earl Ray is an innocent man who was caught in the web of a government conspiracy. B) Refer back to anecdote D) Concluding statement

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