On February 27, 1965, [BUREAU DELETION] advised that [BUREAU DELETION] identified Talmadge Hayer and Norman 3X Butler, both now in the custody of the New York City Police Department, as assassins in the killing of Malcolm X. Butler was arrested in January 1965, for shooting a Correctional Officer who broke away from the NOI and, at the time he was arrested for killing Malcolm X, he was on $10,000 bail.
[BUREAU DELETION]
[BUREAU DELETION]
[BUREAU DELETION]
[BUREAU DELETION] identified Norman 3X Butler from photographs as the man who was sitting [BUREAU DELETION] and said “Get your hands out of my pocket” in the Audubon Ballroom, just before Malcolm X was killed. [BUREAU DELETION] cannot recognize Thomas 15X Johnson from photographs as being in the Audubon Ballroom on February 21, 1965.
On March 4, 1965, [BUREAU DELETION] stated that as of this date, Hayer, Butler and Johnson, all arrested for the killing of Malcolm X, have refused to furnish any information other than their name and age.
On March 8, 1965, [BUREAU DELETION] advised that [BUREAU DELETION] was interviewed by the New York City Police Department on the same date. According to [BUREAU DELETION] stated that he saw Hayer shoot Malcolm X and also observed Butler and Johnson in the Audubon Ballroom the day Malcolm X was killed. [BUREAU DELETION] saw Johnson run out the side exit after the shooting.
[BUREAU DELETION] stated that Johnson, when arrested, denied being in the Audubon Ballroom on February 21, 1965. [BUREAU DELETION] stated that [BUREAU DELETION] after the shooting, he picked up the shotgun used to kill Malcolm X and gave it to Rueben X Francis. He said he also picked up a German Luger pistol and gave it to another person to hold until the police arrived.
[BUREAU DELETION] stated that the German Luger was never turned over to the Police Department and this gun could probably account for the nine millimeter slug in Malcolm’s body. [BUREAU DELETION]
On March 10, 1965, [BUREAU DELETION] advised that the [BUREAU DELETION] in conducting interviews of persons, particularly MMI members who were present in the Audubon Ballroom when Malcolm X was shot, seem to have the same “clear cut” story that they were in the ballroom when Malcolm X was shot and when the shots rang out they fell to the floor and never got a look at the assassins. [BUREAU DELETION] stated that the Police Department learned that [BUREAU DELETION] of the MMI in New York City, has instructed members of the MMI and the OAAU to cooperate with the Police Department but only say that they fell on the floor when the shooting started and cannot identify the person who shot Malcolm X.
[BUREAU DELETION] said the [BUREAU DELETION] is now shifting their investigation towards officials of the MMI [BUREAU DELETION]. In reference to [BUREAU DELETION] stated that information has been received that [BUREAU DELETION] also was one of Malcolm X’s bodyguards the day he was shot, and has been seen in the Harlem area “dressed to kill,” “wearing one hundred dollar suits” and a “pocket full of hundred dollar bills” since the death of Malcolm X. [BUREAU DELETION] said that [BUREAU DELETION] has no visible means of support at this time.
[BUREAU DELETION] also stated that on March 10, 1965, the New York County Grand Jury handed down first-degree murder indictments in the killing of Malcolm X on February 21, 1965, against Talmadge Hayer, Norman 3X Butler and Thomas 15X Johnson.
The New York Times, a local daily newspaper dated March 11, 1965, contained an article captioned “4 Are Indicted Here In Malcolm X Case.” This article states:
A grand jury indicted three Negroes yesterday in the slaying of Malcolm X, Black Nationalist leader, and indicted Malcolm’s bodyguard for shooting and wounding one of the trio.
Charges of willfully killing Malcolm “with a shotgun and pistols” were made against Thomas Hagen, also known as Talmadge Hayer and Thomas Hayer, 22 years old, of 347 Marshall Street, Paterson, N.J.; Norman 3X Butler, 26, of 661 Rosedale Avenue, the Bronx; and Thomas 15X Johnson, 29, of 932 Bronx Park South, the Bronx.
A separate indictment accused Rueben [sic] Francis, under that spelling and also as Rueben [sic] X, on one count of first-degree felonious assault for “aiming and discharging a pistol” at Hagan, two counts of second-degree assault and a fourth count of possessing a pistol. Francis, 33, has given his address as 871 East 179th Street, the Bronx.
Hagan is in Bellevue Hospital’s prison ward. Butler and Johnson, [who] are being held without bail, and Francis, whose bail has been set at $10,000, are to be arraigned in Supreme Court, tomorrow.
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
SECTION 17
March 25, 1965–May 25, 1965
REPORTS:
1. March 25, 1965. Boston
2. March 30, 1965. SAC, Philadelphia to Director. Airtel
3. April 1, 1965. SAC, New York to Director. Teletype
4. April 6, 1965. SAC, New York to Director
5. April 28, 1965. SAC, New York to Director
6. May 25, 1965. SAC, New York to Director
Section 17 continues with reports speculating about the shooting. The FBI receives more information indicating that a conspiracy within the MMI was responsible for the murder. An informant at the funeral felt that the two guards on duty at the Audubon participated. Another indicated that “before the killing someone asked a high official about extra guards for the meeting on 2/21/65. A person in authority said no extra guards would be needed.”
Further information surrounding the case is included. A witness contradicts the previous informant by stating that Hayer was the individual who shouted, “Get your hand out of my pocket.” Soon it becomes evident that the case against Butler and Johnson is thin at best. On April 28, the Bureau indicates that the NYCPD might be concluding their investigation in order to prepare for trial.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Boston, Massachusetts
March 25, 1965
[BUREAU DELETION]
On [BUREAU DELETION] who is registered at the Sherry Biltmore Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts, [BUREAU DELETION] was interviewed at the Sherry Biltmore Hotel by an FBI Agent.
[BUREAU DELETION] stated that he had attended the funeral of Malcolm X Little in New York City. He claims that on his arrival in New York City, he was taken into protective custody by the [BUREAU DELETION] and was allowed to attend the funeral. Subsequent to the funeral, he went to a friend’s home for the evening and then returned to Boston, Massachusetts.
While at the funeral, he chatted with former members of the Newark Nation of Islam (NOI) Temple whom he recognized from having had contact with them while visiting that temple [BUREAU DELETION] stated, however, that he does not know them by name.
One of these, to the best of [BUREAU DELETION] was present when Malcolm X was shot. This man described the person who handled the shotgun as a tall, dark-skinned Negro whom he recognized as a member of the Newark Temple, but whom he did not know by name. [BUREAU DELETION] believes that this former Muslim, who told him this, identified the Negro who handled the shotgun as a lieutenant in the Newark Temple. The man handling the shotgun shot from the hip and appeared to be an expert in the handling of this type of gun.
On guard at the rostrum at which Malcolm X was speaking were Robert 35X, formerly of the New York Temple, and Charles 26X, formerly of the Newark Temple.
When the distraction was created just before Malcolm X was shot, both of these guards left the immediate area of the rostrum which [BUREAU DELETION] is in violation of all the rules of “standing post” both in the Muslim Temples and in Malcolm Little’s organization.
This fact made the persons participating in the discussion [BUREAU DELETION] convinced that the shooting was a conspiracy in which the two guards participated. [BUREAU DELETION] has no factual knowledge about such a conspiracy, how the shooting occurred or who participated in it. The man who started the distraction by claimin
g someone’s hand was in his pocket was described [BUREAU DELETION] as a short, dark-skinned Negro with bushy hair and a mustache, who was believed to be a member of the Newark Temple.
[BUREAU DELETION] that one night during the current week, [BUREAU DELETION] on the telephone. [BUREAU DELETION] is not known to him and he does not know why [BUREAU DELETION] selected him to call. [BUREAU DELETION] identified himself as a representative of the Progressive Labor Movement in the greater Boston area and claimed he had the responsibility of the distribution of the Progressive Labor Movement publication “Challenge” in this area.
[BUREAU DELETION] that he would like him to join the Progressive Labor Movement and help organize it in the greater Boston area. [BUREAU DELETION] stated that from his conversation with [BUREAU DELETION] understood that [BUREAU DELETION] had been associated with or was familiar with [BUREAU DELETION] would be attending a testimonial to Malcolm Little on Saturday evening, March 13, 1965, at 295 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts. [BUREAU DELETION] intended to go to the same testimonial and would probably see [BUREAU DELETION] there.
[BUREAU DELETION] the Organization of Afro-American Unity is presently dormant, waiting for someone to assume its leadership.
[BUREAU DELETION] is currently unable to find anybody with the ability or willingness to assume leadership of the group. [BUREAU DELETION] that in conversation with [BUREAU DELETION] in New York, she had decided that [BUREAU DELETION] would assume some of the responsibilities of leadership and would have to depend on Malcolm X’s lieutenants in the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU) to assume the rest of the responsibility.
In Boston, Massachusetts, [BUREAU DELETION] does not believe the organization exists except in the desire of [BUREAU DELETION] to develop it.
[BUREAU DELETION] does not belong to any Negro organizations at the present time. He stated that although he had a close friendship with Malcolm Little and that although Little thought very highly of [BUREAU DELETION] was not actually a member of the Organization of Afro-American Unity or a follower of Little.
[BUREAU DELETION]
On March 13, 1965, [BUREAU DELETION] advised that at about 2:30 P.M. on that date, a hotel employee, [BUREAU DELETION] was in his hotel room tried to contact [BUREAU DELETION] but not being able to arouse him gained entrance to the room with a passkey and found [BUREAU DELETION].
[BUREAU DELETION]
Because of the circumstances surrounding the death, namely, that no one was present at the time of death, and the cause of death was unknown, and the victim had been subject to violence in the recent past the body was removed to the Southern Mortuary, Boston, Massachusetts for an autopsy.
[BUREAU DELETION] stated that a medical examination of the body at the time of death, led to a primary diagnosis [BUREAU DELETION] had died of natural causes after falling into a coma.
On March 18, 1965 [BUREAU DELETION] advised that the final report on the autopsy of [BUREAU DELETION] was not yet complete. However, the autopsy had definitely established [BUREAU DELETION] died of natural causes, namely, [BUREAU DELETION] seizure. This occurred apparently [BUREAU DELETION] asleep. [BUREAU DELETION] also suffering at the time of death from an overdose of a medical drug called Domadeen which induces sleep. This is a pill which had apparently been prescribed for him and which he apparently took regularly.
[BUREAU DELETION] stated that the autopsy was performed with great care since he was aware that the death could possibly be of interest to the local police department and the Federal Bureau od Investigation. He stated that it was interesting to him to note that although [BUREAU DELETION] reported to have been severely beaten on [BUREAU DELETION] in the [BUREAU DELETION] and, in fact, [BUREAU DELETION] claimed to have been severely beaten, there is no medical evidence that he received any severe or lasting damage from whatever beating he did receive.
On March 15, 1965, [BUREAU DELETION] types, stated that on Wednesday, March 10, 1965, he had received a phone call [BUREAU DELETION] claimed that he had two suitcases full of NOI documents which he kept in New Haven. He suggested to [BUREAU DELETION] that if [BUREAU DELETION] would drive him to New Haven to pick up the suitcases, he would arrange for [BUREAU DELETION] to examine them and suggested that they could be of great value to [BUREAU DELETION] to New Haven on Monday, [BUREAU DELETION] advised he did not know whether or not to believe but felt that the trip would be well worth it if he actually had such material. From the tone of the telephone conversation, [BUREAU DELETION] felt [BUREAU DELETION] had he intended to try to sell it to [BUREAU DELETION] rather than give it to him.
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
FBI
TO
:
DIRECTOR, FBI (100-399321)
FROM
:
SAC, PHILADELPHIA (J00-39918)
SUBJECT
:
MALCOLM K. LITTLE, AKA
IS-MMI
[BUREAU DELETION] was interviewed by SA [BUREAU DELETION] and he advised [BUREAU DELETION] was interviewed the previous night by [BUREAU DELETION] and [BUREAU DELETION] of the [BUREAU DELETION] He admitted membership in the MMI and OAAU and told [BUREAU DELETION] where he was sitting when MALCOLM LITTLE was killed. [BUREAU DELETION] showed [BUREAU DELETION] a photo of an individual they identified as a member from NYC and asked [BUREAU DELETION] if this person was on the door when he entered the Audubon Ballroom. [BUREAU DELETION] told the police he thought he observed this person on the door on 2/21/65 either when he was entering or leaving.
[BUREAU DELETION] was then shown a photo of TALMADGE HAYER. He identified HAYER as a person who stood up and told an individual to his left to “get your hand out of my pocket.” HAYER, according to [BUREAU DELETION], then took something from his clothes, either from a pocket or from his belt, and pointed it toward MALCOLM LITTLE.
[BUREAU DELETION] was shown a photo (full length) of NORMAN BUTLER. After seeing the full length photo of BUTLER he identified BUTLER as being present at [BUREAU DELETION] had previously been shown a mug shot of BUTLER which he said looked familiar but he could not make a positive identification from the mug shot.
[BUREAU DELETION] was also shown a full length photo of THOMAS JOHNSON and identified JOHNSON as an individual who was present at the last OAAU meeting. At the time he could not state whether he was definitely present at the meeting [BUREAU DELETION] was previously shown a mug shot of JOHNSON. He stated JOHNSON looked familiar but could not make a positive identification.
[BUREAU DELETION]
[BUREAU DELETION] also told police that as soon as the first shot was fired he fell to the floor. While on the floor he observed a man running out of the ballroom loading a clip for an automatic gun. He only saw this man as high as his hands. He could not identify this individual.
[BUREAU DELETION] was also present in New York City when MALCOLM LITTLE was killed. While the [BUREAU DELETION] were interviewing her one of them left the interview room to talk with [BUREAU DELETION] told [BUREAU DELETION] that he felt the killing was an “inside job” because on [BUREAU DELETION] night before the killing someone asked a high official about extra guards for the meeting on 2/21/65. A person in authority said no extra guards would be needed. [BUREAU DELETION] that the [BUREAU DELETION] had offered [BUREAU DELETION] if he would admit shooting HAYER; however, [BUREAU DELETION] would only tell the [BUREAU DELETION] that he was not present at the meeting.
[BUREAU DELETION]
On 3/23/65 SAs [BUREAU DELETION] and [BUREAU DELETION] interviewed [BUREAU DELETION] concerning information he could furnish [BUREAU DELETION] in the event he was called on to testify. [BUREAU DELETION] furnished the same information as previously set forth in this communication. [BUREAU DELETION] was also advised to contact [BUREAU DELETION] in NYC prior to contacting the Philadelphia [BUREAU DELETION] told [BUREAU DELETION] to cooperate with the police as he wanted whoever
killed LITTLE brought to justice.
In regard to MMI security, [BUREAU DELETION] tried to start an FOI in the MMI but that MALCOLM LITTLE would not allow it. [BUREAU DELETION] told [BUREAU DELETION] felt the MMI security was inadequate but that MALCOLM LITTLE gave the final orders on security. [BUREAU DELETION] told [BUREAU DELETION] knew nothing about the shooting as he was in the back room when the shooting occurred.
[BUREAU DELETION] stated he felt the police were indirectly responsible for the murder of MALCOLM LITTLE as they did not furnish LITTLE sufficient protection when he appeared in public.
With regard to [BUREAU DELETION] statement that he was in the back room when the shooting occurred, it is to be noted that the [BUREAU DELETION] after the shooting on 2/21/65 stated she observed [BUREAU DELETION] on top of the Muslim who came to the United States from Africa with MALCOLM LITTLE. She stated that [BUREAU DELETION] was attempting to protect this individual.
[BUREAU DELETION]
They asked him who was speaking when he entered and he stated BENJAMIN.
BENJAMIN then introduced MALCOLM LITTLE and MALCOLM LITTLE began his speech. LITTLE gave the MUHAMMAD greeting and then stated “Brothers and Sisters.”
After LITTLE stated “Brothers and Sisters” a commotion started a few rows in front of him. LITTLE stopped speaking, came from behind the rostrum and a few people started to stand. LITTLE then told the people to take it easy and sit down. While this was going on the individual [BUREAU DELETION] TALMADGE HAYER, stood up and told a person to his left “Get your hand out of my pocket.” The person beside HAYER stated, “I wasn’t in your damn pockets.” This was occurring at the same time as LITTLE was speaking. After standing up HAYER pushed his coat back and pulled an object from his left side, either from a pocket or from his belt. The object looked metallic [BUREAU DELETION]. HAYER then pointed the object he took from his clothing toward LITTLE. [BUREAU DELETION] then heard what sounded like a gunshot and fell to the floor. He told [BUREAU DELETION] to get down but she was still sitting. He later pulled her down.
Malcolm X Page 35