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by Jack A. Childers (Author), Emma L. Childers (Author)
Justice, Forgiveness and Reconciliation is a unique historical archive, consisting of 33 sketches by internationally known artist Anna Sandhu Ray, the former wife of the late James Earl Ray, six original paintings by Anna Sandhu Ray, and ten original paintings by James Earl Ray done while he was in Brushy Mountain State Prison. Anna Sandhu, who has been an artist since her early childhood, served as a court room sketch artist for CBS News in the 1970's..
The sketches portray a number of historical events involving the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the investigation into his death, the escape trial of James Earl Ray, and the attempts of James Earl Ray to prove his innocence. Most of the sketches were done in 1977 and 1978, and many portray events or encounters that occurred out of the public eye. The sketches were hidden away by the artist for more than 35 years.
The ten paintings by James Earl Ray have never been seen in public. Five of the paintings were done in 1978 during a time when the United States Select Committee on Assassinations was conducting an investigation into the murders of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During this period of time, Mr. Ray was actively attempting to prove his innocence. The remaining five paintings were done in 1980 after the Select Committee had concluded that Mr. Ray's claims were for the most part not credible. The paintings may offer insight in to the psychology of a convicted killer or of a man incarcerated for a crime for which he was innocent.
In addition, this historical archive presents a voice from the grave - that of Lieutenant Barry Neal Linville, who was among the first Memphis homicide detectives assigned to investigate the murder of Dr. King. The words written and spoken by Lt. Linville, who before his death in 2006 preserved for posterity his knowledge of the investigation, describe his role in the investigation, his observations at the autopsy of Dr. King, and his personal account of events that occurred in the immediate aftermath of the death of Dr. King. Lt. Linville shared facts which if made known in 1968 may well have resulted in a different outcome of the investigation. Lt. Linville's removal from the investigation several days after it began may well have changed law enforcement's approach to solving the murder of Dr. King. Childers presents the evidence not only from Linville's investigation but also from other historical records to build a more comprehensive review.
While this book is not an attempt to solve the murder of Dr. King, through paintings, sketches and the investigation of Lt. Linville, the document offers the viewer and reader the opportunity to make a judgment as to whether or not the investigation into Dr. King's death provided justice to Dr. King, to his family and
followers and as to whether justice was meted out fairly to James Earl Ray..
