Today in history: Martin Luther King was assassinated: What is the conspiracy theory about who killed MLK?

April 4th marks a somber anniversary in American history – the assassination of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. On this day in 1968, Dr. King was tragically shot and killed while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. His untimely death shook the nation and sparked outrage and mourning across the globe.

However, even decades later, questions and conspiracy theories continue to swirl around the circumstances of his assassination, raising doubts with some about who was truly responsible for the death of the revered leader.

Who killed Martin Luther King?

The official account of Dr. King’s assassination points squarely at James Earl Ray, a small-time criminal and escaped convict at the time of the shooting. Ray was arrested two months after the assassination and eventually pleaded guilty to the murder, avoiding a trial and receiving a 99-year prison sentence. However, from the outset, doubts and suspicions have surrounded the case, fuelling various conspiracy theories that challenge the official narrative.

One of the most prominent conspiracy theories suggests that Ray was not acting alone and may have been part of a larger group involving government agencies or other shadowy organisations. This theory posits that powerful entities, including elements within the FBI or even the U.S. government, had motives to silence Dr. King due to his outspoken advocacy for civil rights and his criticism of government policies, particularly regarding the Vietnam War.

Supporters of this conspiracy theory point to various pieces of evidence and inconsistencies in the official investigation to bolster their claims. They highlight the fact that Ray was a relatively unskilled marksman and argue that the precise and accurate shot that killed Dr. King could not have been executed by him alone. Additionally, they raise questions about Ray’s movements and connections in the days leading up to the assassination, suggesting that he may have been manipulated or used as a pawn by others with ulterior motives.

Furthermore, skeptics of the official account point to the extensive surveillance and harassment that Dr. King faced from government agencies, particularly the FBI under the leadership of J. Edgar Hoover, as evidence of a broader conspiracy to undermine or eliminate him. Hoover’s infamous COINTELPRO program, which aimed to surveil and disrupt civil rights organisations, fuelled suspicions that the government may have had a hand in Dr. King’s assassination.

Official investigations conclude no MLK conspiracy

Despite these persistent conspiracy theories, official investigations and inquiries conducted over the years have generally affirmed the conclusion that James Earl Ray acted alone in assassinating Martin Luther King Jr. The findings of these investigations, including the House Select Committee on Assassinations in the late 1970s, have not uncovered conclusive evidence of a wider conspiracy involving government agencies or other parties.

However, for many, including Dr. King’s family, questions and doubts linger, fuelled by the complex and tumultuous history of the civil rights movement and the broader political landscape of the 1960s. As the anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination once again comes around, as well as reflection and remembrance, those that question the official narrative of his death aim to reignite the debate.