Loading summary
Paragould Luxury Home Advertiser
Discover heirloom quality at Paragould, the destination for luxury home. From furniture to decor, our pieces are meticulously made by design's best brands to be lived in and loved for a lifetime. Shop with us and enjoy extraordinary customer service and free fast full service delivery on most items in store and online@paragould.com.
Narrator (History Daily Podcast Host)
It's 9am on August 7, 1959, in Alton, Missouri. Petty Crook in his early 30s drives down the road in his blue 1950 Buick. He eyes the pistol resting in the passenger seat. He's on his way to rob a grocery store. This Crook has already served time for a series of crimes. He knows if he gets caught again, he could go to prison for decades. But he's willing to take the risk. He pulls the Buick into the grocery store parking lot and kills the engine. He wipes the sweat from his hands, grabs his pistol and steps out of the car. He slams the door behind him and makes a beeline for the store. Once inside, he marches directly to the cash register. Crook points his gun at a terrified cashier and demands all the money in the till. The cashier's hands tremble as he opens the register and pulls out a stack of bills. Crook grabs the cash and runs for the door. Back in the parking lot, he slides into the building. He tosses the gun and the money onto the passenger seat. He fires up the engine, peels out of the parking lot, barrels down the road. Glancing in the rearview mirror, he smiles as the grocery store fades into the distance behind him. This small time crook, James Earl Ray, first turned to a life of crime after the United States army discharged him from his post in Germany in 1948. When James returned home, he struggled to find legitimate work and was riddled with financial problems, according to some people close to him. James blamed minority groups for his woes. But after holding up the grocery store, James problems got worse. A witness placed James at the scene of the crime. Police tracked him down and arrested James for armed robbery. A repeat offender, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison. That sentence will send James down a path that will eventually have him committing an infamous crime that will leave an indelible scar on America. On April 4, 1968, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King will be assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. A manhunt for the killer will ensue and the evidence will lead the FBI to James Earl Ray. After being captured overseas and brought back to America, James will plead guilty to the first degree murder of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On March 10, 1969.
Paragould Luxury Home Advertiser
Discover heirloom quality at Paragould, the destination for luxury home. From furniture to decor, our pieces are meticulously made by design's best brands to be lived in and loved for a lifetime. Shop with us and enjoy extraordinary customer service and free fast full service delivery on most items in store and online@paragould.com.
Odoo Business Software Advertiser
running a business is hard enough, so why make it harder? With a dozen different apps that don't talk to each other. One for sales, another for inventory, a separate one for accounting. Before you know it, you are drowning in software instead of growing your business. This is where Odoo comes in. Odoo is the only business software you'll ever need. It's an all in one fully integrated platform that handles everything. CRM, accounting, inventory, e commerce, HR and more. No more app overload, no more juggling logins. Just one seamless system that makes work easier. And the best part? Odoo replaces multiple expensive platforms for a fraction of the cost. It's built to grow with your business, whether you are just starting out or already scaling up. Plus, it's easy to use, customizable and designed to streamline every process so you can focus on what really matters running your business. Thousands of businesses have made the switch, so why not you try Odoo for free@odoo.com that's o d o o dot com.
Grainger University Maintenance Advertiser
If you work in university maintenance, Grainger considers you an MVP because your playbook ensures your arena is always ready for tip off. And Grainger is your trusted partner, offering the products you need all in one place, from H Vac and plumbing supplies to lighting and more. And all delivered with plenty of time left on the clock so your team always gets the win. Call 1-800-GRAINGER visit grainger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.
Sal
Hey, Sal.
Hank
Hank. What's going on? We haven't worked a case in years.
Sal
I just bought my car at Carvana and it was so easy. Too easy.
Hank
Think something's up?
Sal
You tell me. They got thousands of options, found a great car at a great price, and it got delivered the next day.
Hank
It sounds like Carvana just makes it easy to buy your car, Hank.
Sal
Yeah, you're right. Case closed.
Carvana Advertiser
Buy your car today on Carvana. Delivery fees may apply.
Narrator (History Daily Podcast Host)
From Noiser and Airship. I'm Lindsey Graham and this is history. Daily. History is made every day on this podcast. Every day, we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world. Today is March 10, 1969. Dr. King's assassin pleads guilty It's April 23, 1967 at the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City. James Earl Ray walks into the prison bakery for his regular work assignment. He nods politely to the guard and his fellow inmates and heads towards the bakery's loading area. There, James and several inmates fill large boxes with bread from the prison bakery. They move the boxes to a loading zone where they'll be put into the back of a truck and delivered to a local farm. James works steadily, biding his time. He doesn't show it, but he's nervous because today is the day he's going to break out of prison. James has served over seven years of his decades long sentence. During that time, he tried to escape twice before, using a makeshift ladder to scale the walls of the prison. But both of his attempts failed. Today he has a much better plan. He's going to escape on the bread truck. When it's nearly time for the truck to arrive, James quickly scans the bakery. He sees that the guards aren't paying attention as usual. Assured the coast is clear, James rushes back to the loading area and gives a signal to the other inmates who are in on his plan. They spring into action. The inmates grab a large box and help James climb inside. They close it with a lid and make sure James is completely hidden. When the truck arrives, the prisoners load James box onto the back of the truck along with the other bread boxes. Soon the truck is outside the gates and pulls away from the prison. At the first opportunity, James pushes his way out of the box and leaps out onto the road, a free man. Next, James contacts his brother to come pick him up. Before long, the Ray brothers unite and speed off to St. Louis. From there, James travels to Chicago. He calls on some of his criminal associates in the city to help him with his primary need. Money. Many are happy to pitch in and they give James enough money to go on the run and hopefully escape the law. That summer of 1967, James travels under a false name across the United States. North, south, east and west. He even spends time in Mexico and Canada. But he never stays in one place too long. He thinks it's safer to keep moving. That is, until he arrives in California. In November of 1967, James wanders into Los Angeles and for the first time since his escape, he feels like he's found a place where he belongs. In the late 1960s, California is at the center of a growing self help movement that will hit its stride across the country in the 1970s. There are gurus of all kinds advertising that they hold the secrets to a Happy life. And there are small groups and communes sprouting up and down the coast, all trying to find peace. James views self help as a chance to find purpose in his life. He tries everything from dance lessons in Long beach to reading religious texts, to attending sessions with a man who calls himself a master hypnotist. But it isn't dance or hypnotism that ultimately gives James the sense of purpose he's looking for. It's a segregationist politician named George Wallace. George Wallace served as governor of Alabama from 1963 to 1967. He rose to power on the back of his staunch segregationist beliefs, promising he would stand in the schoolhouse door to stop the enrollment of black children in white Alabama schools. After his first stint as governor, Walter Wallace traveled out west to tap into the wealth of California's small but powerful right wing community. Wallace used the support of these Californians to help fund his third party run for president in the 1968 election. James catches clips of Wallace's campaign speeches and rallies on the nightly news and he finds himself drawn in. Wallace speaks out against the progressive movement of the 1960s and attacks anti war and black nationalist protests. Wallace argues that liberal politicians and angry minorities are coming for white working class jobs and homes. And Wallace says these groups will bring violence to once safe neighborhoods. The more James listens, the more he agrees with Wallace. During this time, James grows fixated on the idea that white Americans must fight back and stand up against progressive and civil rights movements. So within months, James will travel to Memphis, Tennessee to play his part.
Odoo Business Software Advertiser
Running a business is hard enough, so why make it harder? With a dozen different apps that don't talk to each other. One for sales, another for inventory, a separate one for accounting. Before you know it, you are drowning in software. Instead of growing your business, this is where Odoo comes in. Odoo is the only business software you'll ever need. It's an all in one fully integrated platform that handles everything. CRM, accounting, inventory, E commerce, HR and more. No more app overload, no more juggling logins. Just one seamless system that makes work easier. And the best part, Odoo replaces multiple expensive platforms for a fraction of the cost. It's built to grow with your business whether you are just starting out or already scaling up. Plus it's easy to use, customizable and designed to streamline every process so you can focus on what really matters running your business. Thousands of businesses have made the switch, so why not you try Odoo for free@odoo.com that's o d o o.com Carvana is so easy.
Narrator (History Daily Podcast Host)
Just a click and we've got ourselves a car.
Hank
See so many cars.
Carvana Advertiser
That's a clicktastic inventory.
Narrator (History Daily Podcast Host)
And check out the financing options payments to fit our budget. I mean that's Clickonomics 101 delivery to our door.
Carvana Advertiser
Just a hopper skip and a click away and bought. No better feeling than when everything just clicks. Buy your car today on Carvana. Delivery fees may apply.
Grainger Hospital Procurement Advertiser
When you manage procurement for multiple facilities, every order matters. But when it's for a hospital system, they matter even more. Grainger gets it and knows there's no time for managing multiple suppliers and no room for ship shipping delays. That's why Grainger offers millions of products in fast, dependable delivery so you can keep your facility stocked, safe and running smoothly. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.
Grainger University Maintenance Advertiser
If you work in university maintenance, Grainger considers you an MVP because your playbook ensures your arena is always ready for tip off. And Grainger is your trusted partner, offering the products you need all in one place, from H Vac and plumbing supplies to lighting and more. And all delivered with plenty of time left on the clock. So your team always gets the win. Call 1-800-GRAINGER visit grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.
Narrator (History Daily Podcast Host)
It's March 28, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. Martin Luther King Jr. Leads 5,000 protesters on a march throughout the city. In February, two black Memphis sanitation workers, Echo Cole and Robert Walker, were killed on the job when a sanitation truck malfunctioned. The deaths of Cole and Walker enraged their black colleagues in the Memphis Department of Public Works, who saw the incident as a result of a long history of abuse towards black city employees. Not long after the deaths of Cole and Walker, 1300 sanitation workers went on strike. They demanded safer working conditions and increased wages. The strike quickly garnered support from civil rights leaders throughout the country who saw the treatment of workers as part of the wide scale racial injustice that black communities faced on a daily basis. One of these leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Has come to Memphis to show his support by leading a march through the city. As the marchers move up Beale Street, King grows concerned. Though he hears shouts from the crowd as skirmishes break out, King desperately wants the march to remain non violent, so he urges those who can hear him to stay calm. But it's too late. King hears storefront windows shatter behind him, and he sees the police Move in on the crowd. Staff members of King's civil rights organization, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, grow consultants concerned for his safety. Several of them pull King out of the throng and rush him to a nearby hotel. But with King gone, the violence escalates. As looting starts, the police pull out their clubs and start attacking people in the streets. A 16 year old black boy is shot and killed by a police officer and other protesters are tear gassed as they seek refuge in a church. When King learns of the chaos that occurred after he was gone, he considers not returning to Memphis in the future. But he watches the following day as a group of over 200 men on strike take to the streets again to engage in non violent protest. The strikers carry signs that read I am a man. Dr. King is moved. So before he leaves for Atlanta, he holds a press conference and announces that he will return to Memphis in the following days to further show his support for the strike. True to his word, King returns to Memphis on April 3, 1968. He's exhausted but resilient. He heads to the Masonic Temple to speak with Memphis sanitation workers and other supporters who have waded through a thunderstorm to hear him there. King gives what would be his last public speech. He talks about the great eras of history in the past and he lays out his hopes for the future. But as King nears the end of his speech, he talks about the dangers of the present.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
And then I got into Memphis and some began to say the threats or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers? Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now because I've been to the mountaintop. I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And he's allowed me to go up to the mountain and I've looked over and I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land.
Narrator (History Daily Podcast Host)
The threat from the sick white brothers that King talked about in his speech is real. Weeks earlier, James Earl Ray left California and traveled across the country. On March 30, not long after King announced he would return to Memphis, James buys a rifle in Birmingham, Alabama. From there, he travels to Memphis and takes a room in a boarding house across from the Lorraine Motel, where he knows King will be staying. On April 4, 1968, James walks into his bathroom, props his rifle on the windowsill, takes aim at King's hotel room and waits. At around 6pm James watches through his rifle sight as King steps out onto the balcony. He squeezes the trigger and watches his victim fall to the ground. James quickly flees the room, discards the rifle on the street, and speeds out of Memphis in a white Mustang. Soon he will go on the run in a desperate attempt to reach Rhodesia, an unrecognized state in Africa ruled at the time by an oppressive white minority. But first, James makes his way to Canada. Using an alias, he acquires a Canadian passport and flies to England. But while James is escaping overseas, the FBI is on the hunt. They find the discarded rifle and match the fingerprints to James. The Bureau sends out an international call for help in tracking James down. And on 6-8-19, in 1968, a Scotland Yard detective arrests James at London's Heathrow Airport. Soon he will be extradited to America, where he will be forced to answer for his horrific crime.
Odoo Business Software Advertiser
Running a business is hard enough, so why make it harder? With a dozen different apps that don't talk to each other, one for sales, another for inventory, a separate one for accounting. Before you know it, you are drowning in software. Instead of growing your business, this is where Odoo comes in. Odoo is the only business software you'll ever need. It's an all in one fully integrated platform that handles everything. CRM, accounting, inventory, E commerce, HR and more. No more app overload, no more juggling logins, just one seamless system that makes work easier. And the best part? Odoo replaces multiple expensive platforms for a fraction of the cost. It's built to grow with your business whether you are just starting out or already scaling up. Plus, it's easy to use, customizable and designed to streamline every process so you can focus on what really matters running your business. Thousands of businesses have made the switch, so why not you try Odoo for free@odoo.com that's o d o o.com when
Grainger Hospital Procurement Advertiser
you manage procurement for multiple facilities, every order matters. But when it's for a hospital system, they matter even more. Grainger gets it and knows there's no time for managing multiple suppliers and no room for shipping delays. That's why Grainger offers millions of products in fast, dependable delivery so you can keep your facility stocked, safe and running smoothly. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done. When you manage procurement for multiple facilities, every order matters, but when it's for a hospital system, they matter even more. Grainger gets it and knows there's no time for managing multiple suppliers and no room for shipping delays. That's why Grainger offers millions of products in fast, dependable delivery so you can keep your facility stocked, safe and running smoothly. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.
Grainger University Maintenance Advertiser
This is the story of the 1. As a maintenance tech at a university, he knows ordering from multiple suppliers takes time away from keeping their arena up and running. That's why he counts on Grainger to get everything he needs, from lighting and H vac parts to plumbing supplies, all in one place. And with fast, dependable delivery, he's stocked and ready for the next tip off. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click granger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.
Narrator (History Daily Podcast Host)
It's March 10, 1969 at the Shelby County Criminal Court in Tennessee. James Earl Ray casts his eyes towards the ground as he stands before Judge Preston Battle. James is frightened. He knows the evidence against him is damning. He also knows that if he pleads not guilty and stands trial, he'll likely receive the death penalty. So James plays the only card he has left. He raises his head and tries to appear calm as he speaks to the judge. In lieu of a trial, James pleads guilty to the first degree murder of Martin Luther King Jr. The judge asks James if he understands that in addition to foregoing a trial, James plea also precludes him making any appeals. James says he understands. Judge asks James the same question again, making sure the conditions of the plea are crystal clear. Again, James says he understands. Judge Battle is satisfied. James plea is accepted and he's sentenced to 99 years in prison. The case of Martin Luther King's assassination appears to be closed, but three days later, James recants. He admits to purchasing the murder weapon, but says he did so at the request of a mysterious man he knows only as Raoul. James argues that he was a mere pawn in a wide ranging conspiracy to kill Dr. King. But in the end, James attempt to rescind his plea. Fail. He will die in prison in 1998. Still, his extraordinary claims at the time spark a range of conspiracy theories that surround the assassination. Some members of Dr. King's family, including his wife, Coretta Scott King, will come to believe in James innocence. She will later say there is abundant evidence of a major high level conspiracy in the assassination of my husband. But attorneys and literally law enforcement connected to the case maintain the evidence points to James Earl Ray. Only later investigations into the assassination will largely support their findings. Still, none of the debate surrounding the assassination overshadows the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King or the message he shared in his final speech. His tireless work and enduring hope that one day his people would make it to the promised land continues to inspire generations of civil rights leaders, leaders and activists to fight for a better world. Dr. King's legacy far outlives that of his assassin who pled guilty to his crime on March 10, 1969. Next on History Daily March 11, 1973 Around 20 men and women gather in Greenwich Village, New York to form P Flag, a new gay rights activism crew. From Noiser and Airship. This Is History Daily Hosted, edited and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham Audio editing and sound design by Molly Bach Music by Lindsey Graham this episode is written and researched by Michael Federico. Executive producers are Steven Walters for Airship and Pascal Hughes for Noise.
Grainger Hospital Procurement Advertiser
This is the story of the One As a procurement manager for a hospital system, she keeps every facility in her network stocked and ready. That's why she counts on Grainger to be her single source for thousands of products, from disinfectants to lighting, air filters and more. And with free, fast, dependable delivery, Grainger helps her keep every facility stocked, safe and running smoothly. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.
Progressive Insurance Advertiser
Fiscally Responsible Financial Genius Monetary Magicians these are things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds. Because Progressive offers discounts for paying in full, owning a home, and more. Plus, you can count on their great customer service to help you when you need it. So your dollar goes a long way. Visit progressive.com to see if you could save on car insurance, Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situations.
Sal
Hey Sal.
Hank
Hank, what's going on? We haven't worked a case in years.
Sal
I just bought my car at Carvana and it was so easy.
Odoo Business Software Advertiser
Too easy.
Hank
Think something's up?
Sal
You tell me. They got thousands of options, found a great car at a great price, and it got delivered the next day.
Hank
It sounds like Carvana just makes it easy to buy your car, Hank.
Sal
Yeah, you're right. Case closed.
Carvana Advertiser
Buy your car today on Carvana. Delivery fees may apply.
Episode Date: March 10, 2026
Host: Lindsay Graham
Theme: The conviction of James Earl Ray for the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., exploring Ray’s criminal background, the events leading to King’s death, the aftermath, and the enduring legacy and controversies surrounding the case.
This episode of History Daily marks the anniversary of James Earl Ray's guilty plea for the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on March 10, 1969. Host Lindsay Graham chronicles Ray’s journey from petty criminal to infamous assassin, the context of King’s activism in Memphis, the events of King’s final days, Ray’s capture and trial, and the conspiracy theories and lasting impact on American history.
[00:29]
Introduction recounts a 1959 grocery store robbery by James Earl Ray, highlighting his shift to crime after struggling to find work post-military discharge.
Ray is depicted as blaming his financial woes on minority groups.
After being caught for the robbery, Ray is sentenced to 20 years and starts a trajectory towards greater infamy.
[05:16]
Ray makes multiple escape attempts from Missouri State Penitentiary. On April 23, 1967, he finally escapes by hiding in a bread box on a delivery truck.
Once free, Ray moves through the U.S., Mexico and Canada using assumed names.
In California, Ray is drawn to the self-help movement but ultimately finds direction in the segregationist rhetoric of Governor George Wallace.
[12:48]
In Memphis, King is supporting striking black sanitation workers after the deaths of Echo Cole and Robert Walker in a workplace accident.
The strike becomes a rallying point for civil rights, leading King to lead a march that turns violent after clashes with police.
King delivers his final speech, the prophetic "I've Been to the Mountaintop" at the Masonic Temple.
[16:43]
Ray travels to Memphis, buys a rifle, books a room opposite King’s motel. On April 4, 1968, he assassinates King from the boarding house bathroom window.
Ray flees, traveling to Canada and then England using false identities, but the FBI tracks him by fingerprint and he is arrested at Heathrow.
[20:56]
On March 10, 1969, at Shelby County Criminal Court, Ray pleads guilty to the first-degree murder of Martin Luther King Jr., waiving his right to trial and appeal, in exchange for a life sentence and not the death penalty.
Three days after his plea, Ray recants, alleging a conspiracy and blaming a mysterious "Raoul," but his attempt to withdraw the plea fails. He remains in prison until his death in 1998.
[22:15]
Ray's claim births persistent conspiracy theories, some endorsed by King’s family (notably Coretta Scott King).
However, official investigations largely support Ray’s guilt.
The episode concludes by emphasizing that these controversies do not overshadow King’s legacy or the continuing influence of his final message.
The episode masterfully compacts a narrative spanning decades into a concise, vivid retelling, balancing forensic clarity about James Earl Ray’s actions and state of mind with the weighty historical import of King’s assassination. Lindsay Graham’s narration underscores the haunting power of King’s last speech and his vision for America, juxtaposed against the petty grievances and racial resentment that drove Ray.
The episode closes with a reminder that King’s message and work echo far beyond the tragedy of his death, continuing to inspire and shape the ongoing struggle for justice and equality.