April 2013 Auction Ends Tuesday, April 2nd, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/2/2013
Extensive and fascinating archive related to the case of convicted Martin Luther King, Jr. assassin James Earl Ray, from the estate of Ray's attorney Jack Kershaw. Lot consists of three parts: (1) Roughly 11 hours of unreleased audio recordings between Ray and his attorneys, recorded during 11-22 March 1977; (2) approximately 100 documents or letters signed by Ray, consisting of 2 autograph letters signed, 82 typed letters signed and numerous documents signed; and (3) original photographs, legal files and ''fan'' letters to Ray. After pleading guilty to avoid a jury trial and possibly death by electrocution, Ray changed his story and hired Kershaw to attempt to secure a new trial for him. Though he never obtained a new trial and was fired by Ray in 1977, Kershaw arranged the infamous interview with ''Playboy'' in which the results of Ray's failed polygraph were published, intimating that Ray was not the lone assassin. Indeed, throughout the lot Ray discloses information about ''Raul'', the man he claimed was the real assassin of Martin Luther King, and on whom Ray pinned his hopes of a new trial. In one document (likely typed by Ray as it appears on the verso of lined paper with numerous unprofessional corrections), Ray lists a chronology of his meetings with Raul, starting in early 1967 and leading up to the assassination of King in April 1968. In small part, ''...Roual [sic] picked me up march 29th. where we went to Bir[mingham]. purchased rifle; 30th had to take back; I left for memphis 30th...'' The documents also cover Ray's 1977 prison escape and capture, his efforts to resist transfer to a federal prison, a suit against Time magazine for libel, and prepared testimony for the House Select Committee on Assassinations. A captivating and historically important lot concerning Ray's efforts for a retrial. Tapes (18 reels of 1/4 inch unedited audio tape) have been played in parts evidencing clear audio. Acquired from the estate of attorney Jack Kershaw.
Martin Luther King Convicted Assassin Lot -- James Earl Ray Signed Documents, Audio Recordings & Other Materials Mentioning His Alleged Co-Conspirator ''Raul'' -- From His Attorney's Estate
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