Ray v. State

OPINION

Appellant filed a petition for post-conviction relief from his guilty-plea conviction of first degree murder and punishment of ninety-nine years, which petition was dismissed without an evidentiary hearing. This appeal questions the correctness of the trial judge’s action.

James Earl Ray, while represented by retained counsel, entered a plea of guilty to the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King. After signing and filing a written petition to be allowed to plead guilty, Ray also expressly stated in open court that he was guilty of the crime and was pleading guilty understandingly and…