Ray's New Ally

Jesse Jackson wants a retrial

Pressure has mounted for years from black leaders who want a new trial for James Earl Ray, the petty gunman and thief serving a 99-year prison sentence for the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. a decade ago. Last week, after meeting with Ray for four hours inside Tennessee's Brushy Mountain State Prison, Chicago Civil Rights Leader Jesse Jackson told reporters: "I do not believe he killed Dr. King. I believe Ray was coerced into pleading guilty to the murder."

When King was shot, Jackson was standing near him outside a second-floor room of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. Jackson visited Ray last week in response to one of a series of letters that the prisoner has been mailing to black leaders. In them, Ray insists he did not kill King and has evidence that "will be helpful in establishing that there was a conspiracy" behind the murder.

Although Ray, 50, originally pleaded guilty to the slaying, he recanted a week after being sentenced in 1969. Jackson seemed persuaded that Ray has been taking the rap for others, although the prisoner apparently produced no new evidence. Nonetheless, said Jackson, "I am absolutely convinced that Ray was involved, but was not alone. He says he was used, and I believe it. Others involved are still walking the streets. The very thought of a conspiracy is what compels me to help him."

Jackson promised to seek a meeting soon with Attorney General Griffin Bell to demand that the Justice Department take a "new look at evidence in the case" and to press for a new trial. Whether Ray receives it may depend on the findings of the House Select Committee on Assassinations. This week, the panel is scheduled to hear testimony from Ray and a number of black leaders.

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