Black History: Special Delivery!!
On December 8, 1999, in a civil trial in Memphis, TN, jurors reached the unanimous verdict that Dr. King was assassinated as a result of a conspiracy. In an interview after the verdict, Coretta Scott King stat that the mafia, local, state, and federal government agencies were involved in the assassination of Dr. King.
The jury also indicated their belief that there was significant evidence to indicate that James Earl Ray did not shoot Dr. King. Evidence suggests that Ray was set up to take the blame. After being arrested, Ray was advised by his attorney to plead guilty, which he did. However, he later recanted his story. He then requested a trial. The judge refused his request and he was sentenced to 99 years in prison. This verdict in civil court was rendered nearly 32 years after King was assassinated. The verdict came one year after Ray died in prison.
For more information and to view a full transcript of the trial, visit the King Center website.
Recent posts:
“I Have A Dream.” -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Cake Mix Controversy: Scholastic Pulls George Washington Book Due To Its Depiction of Slaves
January 18, 2016 at 5:31 pm
Great post! Thank you it helped me know more about the trial. Your blogs amazing xx
January 18, 2016 at 5:33 pm
Thank you! I love black history. Especially little known facts.
January 18, 2016 at 5:34 pm
I have a big interest in Black history. In the UK they never taught is it so you have to research it all yourself
January 18, 2016 at 5:38 pm
I think in general the contributions of black people and other people of color are not included in mainstream history. You real have to research it on your own. There were more people than MLK, Rosa Parks, etc.
January 18, 2016 at 5:43 pm
Your completely right. Western media don’t like to talk about what people of colour do in history. Wheather that’s African Americans, Africans, South Asians or Middle Eastern. It’s a shame we live in a world like this
January 18, 2016 at 5:47 pm
This is a great blog post too on MLK
Remembering the Real Martin Luther King – http://wp.me/p4mc4Y-2wr
January 18, 2016 at 5:54 pm
Wow that was AMAZING! Thankyou for sending me the link. It was so informative but also I loved how she spoke about her thoughts and feelings x