James Earl Ray

Cases

• James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
  InvolvedNamed suspectConvicted

Timeline

Events across every case involving this person

1. March 10, 1928

   James Earl Ray born in Alton, Illinois

   James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
2. April 23, 1967

   James Earl Ray escapes from Missouri State Penitentiary

   James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
3. April 1, 1968

   James Earl Ray flees Memphis

   James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
4. April 1, 1968

   James Earl Ray identified as suspect via fingerprints

   James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
5. April 4, 1968

   Martin Luther King Jr. shot dead on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel

   James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
6. May 6, 1968

   Ray flew from Toronto to London under alias Ramon George Sneyd

   James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
7. May 6, 1968

   James Earl Ray flies to London

   James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
8. May 7, 1968

   charging

   James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
9. May 7, 1968

   James Earl Ray travels to Lisbon

   James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
10. May 17, 1968

    Ray returned to London from Lisbon after reportedly seeking passage to southern Africa

    James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
11. May 17, 1968

    James Earl Ray returns to London

    James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
12. June 8, 1968

    James Earl Ray arrested at Heathrow Airport; Detective Chief Superintendent Tommy Butler makes formal arrest

    James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
13. June 8, 1968

    James Earl Ray arrested at Heathrow Airport, London

    James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
14. July 19, 1968

    Ray extradited to Memphis

    James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
15. July 19, 1968

    James Earl Ray extradited to Memphis

    James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
16. March 1, 1969

    James Earl Ray recants guilty plea, claims conspiracy

    James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
17. March 10, 1969

    Ray pleaded guilty to King's murder on his forty-first birthday and sentenced to ninety-nine years

    James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
18. March 10, 1969

    James Earl Ray sentenced to 99 years in prison

    James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
19. March 10, 1969

    James Earl Ray pleads guilty to MLK murder

    James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
20. June 1, 1977

    James Earl Ray escapes from Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary

    James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
21. June 1, 1977

    James Earl Ray recaptured after escape

    James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
22. August 16, 1978

    James Earl Ray testifies before House Select Committee on Assassinations

    James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
23. January 1, 1997

    King family publicly supports Ray's request for retrial

    James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
24. April 23, 1998

    James Earl Ray died in Nashville of complications from liver disease

    James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture
25. April 23, 1998

    James Earl Ray dies in Nashville

    James Earl Ray: The Heathrow Capture