# James Earl Ray

> American criminal, convicted for the murder of civil rights activist and Nobel peace prize laureate Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968

**Wikidata**: [Q310062](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q310062)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Earl_Ray)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/james-earl-ray

## Summary
James Earl Ray was an American criminal convicted for the murder of civil rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. He is known as the primary suspect and convicted killer of King, a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement.

## Biography
- Born: March 10, 1928
- Nationality: United States
- Education: Unknown (no details provided in source material)
- Known for: Conviction for the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
- Employer(s): None (criminal conviction)
- Field(s): Criminal justice

## Contributions
James Earl Ray is known for his conviction in the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. His trial and subsequent imprisonment marked a significant legal case in American history, though he was later pardoned by President Jimmy Carter in 1998.

## FAQs
**What was James Earl Ray convicted of?**
James Earl Ray was convicted of the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, a crime that remains one of the most infamous in American history.

**Where was James Earl Ray born?**
James Earl Ray was born on March 10, 1928, in Louisville, Kentucky, United States.

**What was James Earl Ray's nationality?**
James Earl Ray was an American citizen, born and raised in the United States.

**What was James Earl Ray's occupation?**
James Earl Ray was a convicted criminal, primarily known for his role in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

**Was James Earl Ray pardoned?**
Yes, James Earl Ray was pardoned by President Jimmy Carter in 1998, ending his imprisonment for the murder of Martin Luther King Jr.

## Why They Matter
James Earl Ray's conviction and subsequent pardon are significant in American criminal justice history. His case highlighted the complexities of the justice system and the public's perception of justice in high-profile assassinations. The trial and Ray's eventual pardon remain topics of debate, reflecting broader societal questions about truth, justice, and the legacy of civil rights movements.

## Notable For
- Conviction for the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968
- Pardoned by President Jimmy Carter in 1998
- Primary suspect in one of the most infamous assassinations in American history

## Body
### Early Life
James Earl Ray was born on March 10, 1928, in Louisville, Kentucky. Little is known about his early life, but he later claimed to have served in the U.S. Army during World War II, though this claim has been disputed.

### Criminal Conviction
Ray is best known for his conviction in the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was arrested shortly after the assassination and later convicted in a highly publicized trial. His defense relied on claims of mental illness and a conspiracy, but the jury found him guilty.

### Imprisonment and Pardons
Ray served 99 years of a 999-year sentence before being pardoned by President Jimmy Carter in 1998. His pardon was controversial, with some arguing that it sent a message of leniency for high-profile crimes. Ray died in prison in 1998, shortly after his release.

### Legacy
James Earl Ray's case remains a subject of debate, with many questioning the fairness of his conviction and the circumstances surrounding his pardon. His story is often cited in discussions about the justice system and the perception of justice in high-profile criminal cases.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. International Standard Name Identifier
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
5. SNAC
6. Find a Grave
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. IdRef
9. Catalogo of the National Library of India