James Earl Ray hospitalized again

More problems from liver ailment

April 21, 1998
Web posted at: 4:51 p.m. EDT (2051 GMT)

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (CNN) -- James Earl Ray, the man convicted of shooting the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., was reported in critical condition Tuesday at Columbia Nashville Memorial Hospital from problems associated with a terminal liver ailment.

"He is back in the hospital and his condition is critical," said Pam Hobbins, a Tennessee Department of Corrections spokeswoman. "He slips in and out of consciousness, but he is not in a coma."

Ray, 70, was hospitalized Monday for the 18th time since December 1966. Ray suffers from cirrhosis and has been seeking a liver transplant.

Ray, who ordinarily is confined to the Lois DeBerry Special Needs Facility next to the Riverbend State Penitentiary, is serving a 99-year sentence for killing King in Memphis in 1968.

He is awaiting a decision by Attorney General Janet Reno on whether she will launch a new investigation into the slaying.

Ray pleaded guilty to the slaying after his capture to avoid a trial and a possible death sentence. But after the trial Ray sought to retract his plea, claiming that he did not shoot King and that he was set up by a mysterious man named "Raoul."

The King family has indicated that it believes Ray and has asked Reno to reopen the investigation. Reno said she would get a ruling from Justice Department lawyers "to see what is appropriate and possible under the law" before taking any action.

Related stories:

• James Earl Ray in coma - March 13, 1998
• James Earl Ray off critical list - February 21, 1998
• James Earl Ray hospitalized again - October 30, 1997
• James Earl Ray loses bid for hearing - September 18, 1997
• King assassin near death in hospital - December 25, 1996

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