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James Earl Ray

CNN left out the best part of the story.  Shortly after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., the FBI had information that James Earl Ray had slipped across the Canadian border.  The RCMP were notified and a young but extremely astute officer, by the name of John Spencer Murray, was assigned the task of screening all pasport applications in order to determine if Ray had applied for a Canadian passport.

After perusing more passports than he had ever wished to see, Murray came across one that could be Ray.  Within half an hour Murray and a select team were airborne in a RCMP Twin Otter destined for London, Ontario. The address on the passport application turned out to be that of a boarding house.

The landlady was delighted to tell the police just what sort of low life Ray had proved to be.  When he departed the boarding house, he had stiffed the landlady not just for rent but for long distance telephone calls that he had made.  The landlady supplied Murray and company with the name of the travel agent that Ray had used to purchase tickets to who knows where.

The travel agent, a personable lass, not only told the Mounties where Ray had gone, but also informed them of his likely whereabouts in London.  She told them of a pub that she had recommended for lunch, not far from King's Cross.

This information was made available to the FBI.  The next morning the FBI Liason in London and three members of Scotland Yard appeared in the pub.  Ray had eaten his lunch and was halfway through a pint of ale when he was accosted.  Ray began to rise.  One of the Scotland Yard members advised him to sit down.

Five beers were ordered.  One of the Scotland Yard members said quietly, "It might be some time before you get another one."

Once Ray had had his fill of beer, they left the pub without creating so much as a glance.  Once they got outside, a Bentley pulled up and the rear door was opened.  There was no notice by anyone. 

I would really like to know where CNN got their information concerning Ray being apprehended at Heathrow.  I think the confusion was initiated by the fact that the United States Government did not have the power of arrest in the UK until Ray was handed over to the US authorities at Heathrow.

I would say the apprehension of James Earl Ray began with the doings of John Spencer Murray, a person whom I interviewed shortly after the assasination.  No doubt someone will take exception to what I have written.  At least one person was mindful of the efforts of John Spencer Murrary.  He received a most appreciative letter from the Jimmy Carter, then President of the United States.

Larry Low

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