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VIDEO: Newly Digitized Footage of MLK Assassin James Earl Ray

Thursday was the 45th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The civil rights icon was shot April 4 1968 while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.

The Shelby County Register's office has released newly digitized footage of Ray's arrest and trial of Ray. This includes footage of Ray being given his Miranda rights on an airplane after his arrest in London in July 1968. Ray is seen in the checkered shirt.

Watch the video AFTER THE JUMP ...

"The personnel using the equipment were learning how to operate this technology as they recorded," said the Shelby County Register in a statement. "As a result, the footage is not always as clear as we are accustomed to seeing today. ... Audio portions are not always clear."

James Earl Ray pleaded guilty to the murder of Dr. King in 1969 and was sentenced to 99 years in prison. He died in 1997 at the age of 80. Watch the video AFTER THE JUMP ...

VIDEO: Separate Trials for "Gay for Pay" Suspects in TN Pastor Slaying?

There are new developments in the murder of the Rev. David Strong, the prominent Chattanooga pastor who was brutally tortured and killed in October 2010. Last May, a Chattanooga jury indicted 17-year-old Brendan Barnes and his 26-year-old cousin Antonio Henry for first degree murder. Henry initially claimed the pastor made unwanted sexual advances. Henry later claimed that the pastor previously paid him for sex.

A judge ruled last February that Barnes will be charged as an adult. The two defendants blame each other for the murder and defense attorneys want separate trials. Hearings for seprate trials began last week.

Watch Newschannel 9's report AFTER THE JUMP ....

"District Attorney Bill Cox said Antonio Henry, 26, and his teenage cousin, Brendan Barnes, 'did the crime together' and should be tried together," reports The Republic, "Defense attorneys told Criminal Court Judge Don Poole that one trial would not be fair or practical because of conflicting statements the co-defendants have given investigators."

In October, Henry said  in jailhouse interviews that he and Barnes stabbed Strong after the pastor made unwanted sexual advances. Police detectives later contradicted that story in court, saying Henry told police that Strong sometimes paid him to perform sex acts.

Relatives of the slain pastor say Strong, who was single and had no children, was not gay. Alcohol and marijuana were found in the pastor's system during an autopsy. The two suspects claim the pastor offered them drinks and marijuana on the night he was killed.

Rev. David Strong pastored the St. Paul AME Church for a decade and had a long history in Tennessee and Kentucky with the AME Church. The 2.5 million-member African Methodist Episcopal Church is the world's oldest and largest predominately Black denomination. The AME Church has opposed openly gay clergy, same sex unions, most gay rights initiatives and marriage equality.

Watch Newschannel 9's report AFTER THE JUMP ....

Defendants Want Separate Trials in Slaying of Chattanooga Pastor

New developments in the murder of the Rev. David Strong, the prominent Chattanooga pastor who was brutally tortured and killed in October 2010. Last May, a Chattanooga jury indicted 17-year-old Brendan Barnes and his 26-year-old cousin Antonio Henry, who initially claimed the pastor made unwanted sexual advances.

The two defendants blame each other for the murder and defense attorneys want separate trials, reports the Times Free Press.

The cousins have told police and the Times Free Press that they beat Pastor David Strong, but each blames the other for the 29 stab wounds that a medical examiner says killed the 55-year-old man in his Glenwood Drive home. Police found Strong's body Oct. 10, 2010, but think he was killed days earlier. The pair left the Glenwood Drive home in Strong's vehicle and then withdrew about $600 from the pastor's bank account after his death, police said.

[The judge] ordered ... the next scheduled hearing on Oct. 31. He told both sides to be open to set a trial date for some time in February or March.

A judge ruled last February that Barnes will be charged as an adult.

In October, Henry said  in jailhouse interviews that he and Barnes stabbed Strong after the pastor made unwanted sexual advances. Police detectives later contradicted that story in court, saying Henry told police that Strong sometimes paid him to perform sex acts.

Relatives of the slain pastor say Strong, who was single and had no children, was not gay. Alcohol and marijuana were found in the pastor's system during an autopsy. The two suspects claim the pastor offered them drinks and marijuana on the night he was killed.

Rev. David Strong pastored the St. Paul AME Church for a decade and had a long history in Tennessee and Kentucky with the AME Church. The 2.5 million-member African Methodist Episcopal Church is the world's oldest and largest predominately Black denomination. The AME Church has opposed openly gay clergy, same sex unions, most gay rights initiatives and marriage equality.

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Indictments in TN Pastor's Death
16 Year Old Charged as Adult in Pastor's Slaying
Autopsy Reports Slain AME Pastor Stabbed 18 Times
Prominent Pastor Killed; Police Suggest He Was Gay
Suspect Claims TN Pastor's Demanded Sex Act
Mother of Suspect Denies Son is "Gay"

Tracy Morgan Apologizes to Fans, LGBT Groups Nashville

30 Rock star Tracy Morgan has delivered a personal apology today in Nashville, the site of his now infamous stand-up routine where he said that he would stab his son if he were gay, reports the AP.

Comedian Tracy Morgan has delivered a personal apology to gay advocacy groups and audience members in Nashville, Tenn., who were offended by an anti-gay rant during his June 3 show there. Morgan met with them Tuesday morning and later addressed reporters at the Nashville Convention Center. He did not take questions.

Morgan said: "I just wanted to take this opportunity to help and not hurt."

This is the second stop in Mogan's mea culpa tour after his offensive and violent rant. On Friday, the comedian visted the Ali Forney Center in Brooklyn to hear the stories of homeless LGBT teens rejected by their families.

Tracy Morgan Meets with Homeless LGBT Teens at the Ali Forney Center

Tracy Morgan continues his mea culpa after unleashing a vitriolic, on-stage anti-gay rant. The 30 Rock star visted the Ali Forney Center in Brooklyn to hear the stories of homeless LGBT teens rejected by their families.

Nineteen-year-old Raciel Castillo said his own father rejected him for being gay when he came out at age 12, sending him to therapy to “fix him” and eventually putting him out on the street. Castillo told his story to Morgan, as did Jayden Love [above], 20 years old, also shut out by her family [and] forced to live in an amusement park in New Jersey where she worked.

Also on hand was Elke Kennedy, whose son Sean died in an anti-gay attack in South Carolina in 2007.

Morgan spent an hour with the group, eventually leaving in tears, said [Carl Siciliano, executive director of the Ali Forney Center]. Those on hand told the Journal that they believe the comedian sincerely wants to heal his rift with the gay community. He did not make any comments to the press.

Love said she wanted to help him realize the sheer enormity of the homeless problem for gay and lesbian youth, who are more likely than straight kids to end up on the streets or commit suicide. "I told him what a low place I had been in without parents to help me," Love said. "I think he was really shocked."

The comedian caused a huge uproar after ranting on-stage in Nashville that he would stab his son to death if he were gay. Morgan said his remarks were "really stupid s---" and promised to meet with LGBT youth.Morgan is scheduled to travel to Tennessee with GLAAD next week to meet with LGBT activists.

Bravo.

Tennessee Gov Signs Bill to Void LGBT Anti-Discrimination Laws

Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Haslam has ignored some of his state's largest employers and signed a law that strips the power of local governments to create anti-discrimination laws that are stricter than the state's.

The law would effectively "void" a Nashville LGBT non-discrimination ordinance "that required contractors with the city to agree to follow [its] rules barring discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgendered people," reports The Tennesseean.

The 2009 ordinance that passed in Nashville covering city employees reamins in effect.

The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry originally lobbied for the bill. Nissan, Alcoa, AT&T, Comcast, DuPont, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Caterpillar, FedEx, United HealthCare and Whirlpool sit on the executive committee.

LGBT netroots activists have pressured companies to distance themselves from the legislation. The TCCI reversed its position earlier today.

"The Tennessee Chamber supports a standard regulatory environment at the state level as opposed to potentially conflicting local regulations covering employment practices," the executive committee said in a statement released late Monday. "That principle was the only interest the Chamber had in this bill. Because (the bill) has turned into a debate on diversity and inclusiveness principles, which we support, we are now officially opposing this legislation in its present form."

Tennessee is one of almost 30 states that have no statewide protections for sexual orientation or gender identity.

It's been a busy week for the homophobes at the Tennessee state house. Only days ago, the Senate voted 20-10 for the outrageous "Don't Say Gay Bill" which would prohibit any discussion of homosexuality before high school. That bill is likely dead for the year because the House version was withdrawn.

Did You Read?
TN Sen Votes to Void LGBT Anti-Discrimination Laws
TN Senate Votes 20-10 for "Don't Say Gay" Bill

Tennessee Senate Votes 20-10 for "Don't Say Gay" Bill

The Tennessee Senate has passed the outrageous "Don't Say Gay Bill" which would prohibit any discussion of homosexuality before high school, report the Commercial Appeal and The Tennesseean.

Senators voted 20-10 Friday morning to pass Senate Bill 49, known by opponents as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, after accepting a new amendment that says the measure would only ban discussion in prepared materials and instruction. Democrats opposed to the measure argued it would muddy state laws that already restrict sex education in middle and elementary school.

"We have said we should not have age inappropriate material in K through 8," said Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga. "What we're doing here is passing something just to pass it."

The bill is likely dead for the year. Companion legislation in the House has not advanced out of committee. "But its sponsor has said he will bring it up again next year if the Senate version passes," reports the Commercial Appeal.

More developments on another evil piece of anti-gay legislation in Tennessse. Last week the Senate overwhelmingly passed a law that prohibits local governments from creating anti-discrimination laws that are stricter than the state's. This would effectively "void" a Nashville LGBT non-discrimination ordinance that covers contractors.

The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, which is headed by Nissan, heavily lobbied for the bill, reports AMERICABlog. Alcoa, AT&T, Comcast, DuPont, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Caterpillar, FedEx, KPMG, United HealthCare and Whirlpool sit on the board.

Very surprising news on the part of FedEx, which is the largest private employer in Memphis. Last year the company announced that it would offer health care benefits to same-sex domestic partners. "It will be extended to all 225,000 domestic employees. Here in Memphis, that means about 30,000 people," FOX 13 reported at the time.

AMERICABog has started an online campaign to pressure the governor to veto the bill.

Former Officer Sentenced to 2 Yrs for Duanna Johnson Beating, Taxes

The former Memphis police officer captured on video surveillance beating a transgender woman in 2008 has been sentenced to two years in prison and two years probation for the assault and for tax evasion, reports the Commercial Appeal.

In August 2010, former Memphis Police Department Officer Bridges McRae plead guilty to violating the civil rights of Duanna Johnson. McRae also plead guilty to evading taxes between 2004 and 2008. McRae agreed to a two-year prison sentence.

Duanna Johnson was later killed in an unsolved shooting.

The 2008 beating happened while McRae was booking Johnson into the Shelby County Jail. Despite graphic surveillance video of McRae beating Johnson and the testimony of fellow police officers, McRae's April 2010 trial ended in a mistrial. The vote was 11-1 for guilty. McRae was facing up to ten years at retrial before his plea deal.

The altercation began after Johnson became upset because McRae repeatedly called her "Dwayne" and refused to call her "Duanna." Fellow officers testified, and the tape showed, McRae wrapping his handcuffs around his fist, repeatedly punching Johnson in the head and then using his pepper spray. "I love to fight," McRae boasted to officers.

Meanwhile: Civil suits are pending against the Memphis Police Department, the City of Memphis and Shelby County. And Duanna Johnson's killer or killers remain on the loose.

R20's complete coverage HERE.

TN: Delay in Trial for Pastor Slaying, Suspects Claim Sex-for-Pay Angle

New developments in the murder of the Rev. David Strong, the prominent Chattanooga pastor who was brutally tortured and killed in October 2010. A Chattanooga jury has indicted 16-year-old Brendan Barnes and his 26-year-old cousin Antonio Henry, who initially claimed the pastor made unwanted sexual advances. 

A status hearing has been delayed until June 22, reports AP.

A judge rescheduled the Wednesday hearing without bringing Henry and Barnes into court. The teen is also being prosecuted as an adult on charges of first-degree murder and especially aggravated robbery in the slaying of the Rev. David Strong.

The 55-year-old Strong was pastor at St. Paul AME Church in Chattanooga when police found his battered and slashed body Oct. 10 at his home. An investigator has said Barnes told police that the pastor was asking God to forgive his attackers.

Police detectives have contradicted Henry's initial story in court, saying Henry told police that Strong sometimes paid him to perform sex acts.

Relatives of the slain pastor say Strong, who was single and had no children, was not gay. Alcohol and marijuana were found in the pastor's system during an autopsy. The two suspects claim the pastor offered them drinks and marijuana on the night he was killed.

Rev. David Strong pastored the St. Paul AME Church for a decade and had a long history in Tennessee and Kentucky with the AME Church. The 2.5 million-member African Methodist Episcopal Church is the world's oldest and largest predominately Black denomination. The AME Church has opposed openly gay clergy, same sex unions, most gay rights initiatives and marriage equality.

You May Have Missed ...
Indictments in TN Pastor's Death
16 Year Old Charged as Adult in Pastor's Slaying
Autopsy Reports Slain AME Pastor Stabbed 18 Times
Prominent Pastor Killed; Police Suggest He Was Gay
Suspect Claims TN Pastor's Demanded Sex Act
Mother of Suspect Denies Son is "Gay"

TN Senate Votes 21-8 to Void Local LGBT Anti-Discrimination Laws

A setback for equality in the mid-South. The Tennessee Senate overwhelmingly passed a law that strips the power of local governments to create anti-discrimination laws that are stricter than the state's. The law would effectively "void" a Nashville LGBT non-discrimination ordinance that covers contractors, reports the AP.

The measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Mae Beavers of Mt. Juliet was approved on Thursday. The companion bill passed the House 73-24 last month. Lawmakers must now work out differences before the measure goes to the governor for his consideration.

The Nashville ordinance prohibits companies that discriminate because of sexual orientation or gender identity from receiving city contracts. It does not apply to local governments' hiring policies for their own workers.

The vote was 19-8, reports The Tennessean. The bill was passed only five weeks ago by the Metro Council.

Metro Councilman Jamie Hollin supported the ordinance and was outraged at the vote. "This is nothing more than homophobia hidden behind a red herring argument of protecting business," he said. "If they really are concerned with homogeneity for businesses in Tennessee, they would pass a law that requires uniform zoning statewide."