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First, mo oe, other than “‘s attorneys talxed with Ray before the plea bargaining resulted in his conviction of the First Degree mader of Martin Luther King, Jr., and sentencing in open court on March 10, 1969, before Judge W. Preston Battle, Criminal Court of Shelby County, Tennessee (See Transcript App. A, Ex.16). At that time, on voir dire, Judge Battle asked Ray: "Are you pleading guiity to Murder in the First Degree in this case because you killed Dr. Martin Luther King under such circumstances that would make you legally guilty of Muder in the First Degree under the law as explained to you by your lawyers?" Ray answered: "Yes." Ray then acknowledged thar he was pleading guilty freely, voluntarily and understandingly. He and his attorney, Percy Foreman, initialed the copy of these questions and answers, Ray also signed a detailed stipulation confessing that he fired the fatal shot (5506). The task force observes that the only way one can be "legally guilty" of first degree murder is when one accomplishes, or aids or assists in the accomplishment, of the wrongful killing of a Inman being with premeditation and malice aforethought. Thus, Ray has judicially confessed that he intended to and did kill Dr. King. -87-