James Earl Ray 'innocent'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.James Earl Ray's lawyers are planning a campaign to have him freed from jail after last night's television trial cast doubt on his conviction for the murder of Martin Luther King, PA reports from London. A jury in Memphis returned a unanimous not guilty verdict after a 10-day hearing in a Memphis courtroom for Thames Television in association with Home Box Office for Channel 4.
The jury deliberated for more than 9 hours for the programme, screened on both sides of the Atlantic, 25 years after the murder of the civil rights leader. At his trial in 1969, Ray pleaded guilty, though he has since protested his innocence. He is serving 99 years.
Ray said yesterday: 'I am pleased that finally an independent jury has examined the state's case and found me not guilty. I hope this will lead to a declassification of all records held by the Justice Department, national archives and the select committee on assassinations, and that I will eventually be set free.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments