1968    Martin Luther King, Jr. is assassinated by James Earl Ray at a motel in Memphis, Tennessee.

1968    James Earl Ray is arrested for the murder of Martin Luther King, Jr.

1969    In Memphis, Tennessee, James Earl Ray pleads guilty to assassinating Martin Luther King Jr. He later retracts his guilty plea.

1977    James Earl Ray escapes from Brushy Mountain State Prison in Petros, Tennessee, but is recaptured on June 13.

1977    Convicted Martin Luther King Jr. assassin James Earl Ray is recaptured after escaping from prison three days before.