Malcolm X
Page 36
[BUREAU DELETION]
[BUREAU DELETION] again stated that the first shots he heard were from directly in front of him, While lying on the floor he felt other shots came directly in front of him and from the right of the ballroom.
[BUREAU DELETION] was then asked if the individual on HAYER’s left could be identified. [BUREAU DELETION] he was not sure.
[BUREAU DELETION]
[BUREAU DELETION] observed JOHNSON sitting to his right.
[BUREAU DELETION]
FBI
Date: 4/1/65
TO
:
DIRECTOR, FBI (100-399321)
FROM
:
SAC, NEW YORK (105-8999)
SUBJECT
:
MALCOLM K. LITTLE, aka
IS-MMI
ReNKteletype, 3/5/65, captioned “NORMAN HOWARD MORTIMORE, aka; SM-NOI.”
[BUREAU DELETION] viewed numerous photographs, including the photographs of TALMADGE HAYER, THOMAS JOHNSON,[BUREAU DELETION]. HAYER and JOHNSON have been indicted for the homicide of Malcolm X on 2/21/65, at New York City. [BUREAU DELETION] is a suspect of the [BUREAU DELETION] in the homicide of MALCOLM X. [BUREAU DELETION] is considered one of the Nation of Islam (NOI) “strong armed men” from Newark.
[BUREAU DELETION] upon reviewing a photograph of HAYER, stated that he observed an individual resembling HAYER in the front section of the Audubon Ballroom on 2/21/65, when MALCOLM X was shot and killed. He said this individual was one of two men who were standing to the right of the rostrum, one of whom was observed shooting a pistol in the direction of MALCOLM X. [BUREAU DELETION] however, that he could not make a positive identification of the photograph.
Upon reviewing photographs of [BUREAU DELETION] JOHNSON, [BUREAU DELETION] that these photographs resembled two individuals who sat in about the middle of the audience at the Audubon Ballroom on 2/21/65 and who jumped up at about the time MALCOLM X appeared at the rostrum. One of the two individuals [BUREAU DELETION] shouted that someone “got into his pocket.” This caused a disturbance and drew the attention of the audience and MALCOLM X’s bodyguards to themselves. The guards approached them and left MALCOLM X unguarded, at which time some shooting occurred down in front near the rostrum. [BUREAU DELETION] could not make a positive identification of the photographs.
[BUREAU DELETION] upon reviewing a photograph of [BUREAU DELETION] remarked that he saw a person resembling [BUREAU DELETION] at the Audubon Ballroom when MALCOLM X was shot, but did not believe that this person took an active part in the killing of MALCOLM X. [BUREAU DELETION] he could not make a positive identification of the photograph.
[BUREAU DELETION] advised on 3/31/65, that at the present time HAYER, JOHNSON and NORMAN 3X BUTLER are the only persons known to them to have had anything to do with the death of MALCOLM X.
Bureau authority is requested to furnish information made available [BUREAU DELETION] to the NYCPD on a confidential basis. If Bureau approves, this information will be furnished to NYCPD through [BUREAU DELETION] NYCPD.
FBI
Date: 4/6/65
TO
:
DIRECTOR, FBI (100-399321)
FROM
:
SAC, NEW YORK (105-8999)
SUBJECT
:
MALCOLM K. LITTLE, aka
IS-MMI
Extreme caution should be exercised in utilizing information furnished below in order that the identity of [BUREAU DELETION] is not disclosed.
On 3/12/65, [BUREAU DELETION] made available a photograph of a letter dated 3/2/65, written by [BUREAU DELETION].
This letter sets forth that the SWP was making a concerted effort to speed the publication of a book under the tentative title “Malcolm X Speaks.” [BUREAU DELETION] sets forth that it appeared that the movement led by MALCOLM X was very interested in getting out such a book in view of the problems facing them following the assassination of MALCOLM X. [BUREAU DELETION] further wrote that the SWP expected to get full collaboration from MALCOLM X’s group in gathering possible material for this project.
[BUREAU DELETION] letter was directed to [BUREAU DELETION] and asked if [BUREAU DELETION] could obtain material available from the visit of MALCOLM X to France and England. This could possibly include dates or interviews, excerpts from the press and so forth.
[BUREAU DELETION]
In view of the sensitivity of this information, no letterhead memorandum is being submitted.
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO
:
DIRECTOR, FBI (100-399321)
DATE: 4/28/65
FROM
:
SAC, NEW YORK (105-8999)
SUBJECT
:
MALCOLM K. LITTLE, aka
IS-MMI
(00: NEW
YORK)
[BUREAU DELETION] NYC, advised on 4/27/65, that the [BUREAU DELETION] at this time has no important suspects at large arising out of their investigation of the murder of MALCOLM X. [BUREAU DELETION] stated that he is trying to determine from police officials and the NY District Attorney’s Office if the NYCPD is to continue with the investigation of the shooting of MALCOLM X or to prepare for trial against TAL-MADGE HAYER, THOMAS JOHNSON and NORMAN BUTLER for the murder of MALCOLM X.
[BUREAU DELETION] stated the PD is still trying to locate and interview [BUREAU DELETION] both of whom, according to [BUREAU DELETION], were in front of the stage acting as bodyguards for MALCOLM X when he was shot and killed on 2/21/65 at NYC.
DIRECTOR, FBI (100-
5/25/65
SAC, NEW YORK [BUREAU DELETION] (C)
EUGENE 2X
SM-NOI
(00: NEW YORK)
ReNYtel 3/29/65, to Director, FBI, captioned “MALCOLM K. LITTLE aka IS-MMI.”
Retel contained information to the effect that [BUREAU DELETION] advised on 3/29/65 that the [BUREAU DELETION] has learned from interviewing NOI members concerning the killing of MALCOLM X, that one [BUREAU DELETION] had been connected with a few homicides in the NY area.
On 4/22/65, [BUREAU DELETION] advised SA [BUREAU DELETION] that the identity of [BUREAU DELETION] has never been obtained by the [BUREAU DELETION] through its investigations. He commented that [BUREAU DELETION] is not a suspect in the killing of MALCOLM X at this time. According to [BUREAU DELETION] has been running into the problem of obtaining information on persons with the identical X numbers, and without the persons’ true last name, they are unable to make a true identification of possible suspects.
SECTION 18
August 25, 1965–February 23, 1967
REPORTS:
1. August 25, 1965. Memo. Baumgardner to Sullivan
2. September 2, 1965. Los Angeles
3. September 8, 1965. New York. Report of John Sullivan
4. February 8, 1966. Memo. Baumgardner to Sullivan
5. February 9, 1966. Memo. SAC, New York to Director
6. February 25, 1966. SAC, New York to Director. Airtel
7. March 7, 1966. SAC, New York to Director. Airtel
8. March 3, 1966. SAC, New York to Director
9. March 11, 1966. New York to Director. Encoded Message
10. March 16, 1966. Memo. SAC, New York to Director
11. April 14, 1966. SAC, New York to Director. Airtel
12. February 23, 1967. New York
Section 18 continues the story of the investigation and the subsequent trial of Hayer, Butler and Johnson. Reuben Francis had jumped bail, so he could not be tried for his alleged shooting of Hayer. Evidence against the NOI appears in the file, including an interview with Los Angeles attorney Gladys Towles Root, who indicated that Malcolm was to be a witness in the paternity suits of her clients against Elijah Muhammad. She stated that Malcolm had said, “If these cases are not hurried, I’ll never be alive.” Information regarding who used which weapons in the shooting is clarified, and a final consensus seems to be reached that Hayer stood up first a
nd used the .45, not Butler, as a previous informant had hypothesized.
As the trial begins, the prosecution’s key witnesses in the FBI’s eyes seem to be the Special Agent who received the .45 caliber pistol and the OAAU member who turned it in. This informant would only testify “after the courtroom was cleared of reporters and spectators, claiming his life was in danger if his identity was known.” The agent’s testimony was apparently a great success, as Assistant DA Vincent Dermody called the Bureau to thank them “for making available SA [BUREAU DELETION].”
The February trial reports include only information regarding testimony and the basic facts of the case, with little indication of any opinions with respect to the guilt or innocence of the suspects. The file reflects that Hayer at first denied any involvement, but later “admitted he was hired to kill MALCOLM X for money, and had three other confederates whom he refused to identify.” Little concrete evidence is presented against Butler and Johnson, although it is noted that “Butler’s actions on the witness stand [were] very detrimental to his case” (referring to his disrespectful behavior). No analysis is offered on the March 11 guilty verdict rendered by the jury or the April 14 life sentences by Justice Marks.
On February 23, 1967, a Memorial March took place at the Audubon. Speakers were: Akiyele Awolowo, Baba Oseijeman Adefumi, Stokely Carmichael, Charles 37X Morris, Ella Collins (President of the OAAU).
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
MEMORANDUM
DATE: August 25, 1965
TO
:
Mr. W. C. Sullivan
FROM
:
F. J. Baumgardner
SUBJECT
:
MALCOLM X LITTLE
INTERNAL SECURITY—MMI
The New York Office has advised that Rueben [sic] X Francis, who is being sought by the New York City Police Department after failure to appear in court, is possibly residing in [BUREAU DELETION] Mexico. New York requests authority to advise the New York City Police Department of the address at which Francis could possibly be located.
Malcolm X Little, leader of the Muslim Mosque, Incorporated, Black Nationalist organization, was murdered on February 21, 1965. The New York City Police Department has arrested three individuals suspected of being the assassins. In addition, the police arrested Rueben [sic] X Francis who was with Little at the time of his murder and shot and wounded one of the assassins. Francis was charged with felonious assault and was released on $10,000 bond, Francis was scheduled to appear in court on May 20, 1965 in connection with this charge. He did not appear and the New York City Police Department has been attempting to determine his whereabouts ever since.
[BUREAU DELETION]
The charge for which Francis is being sought comes within the scope of the Unlawful Flight Statute and the New York Office previously has discussed with police officers handling this matter the possibility of seeking Bureau assistance under the Unlawful Flight Statute. While the New York Office is receiving a continuing flow of unlawful flight cases from the New York Police Department there has been a hesitation in asking our assistance in this particular case. The New York Office advises that officers responsible for the Francis case have been convinced that Francis has been hiding out in the New York City area. We have received similar reports; however, the current information clearly indicates Francis has fled to Mexico. The New York Office on August 24, 1965, advised that with the current information indicating the subject is out of the country, the New York City Police Department in all likelihood would request Bureau assistance under the Unlawful Flight Statute.
If a Federal unlawful flight warrant is obtained, our [BUREAU DELETION] would very likely be able to have Francis deported to the United States where he could be taken into custody by Bureau Agents.
With this in mind the New York Office is being instructed to contact the New York City Police Department and, utilizing the current information indicating subject has fled the country, fully explore the possibility of obtaining a Federal unlawful flight warrant. [BUREAU DELETION]
ACTION:
There is attached for approval an airtel instructing the New York Office, based on information that subject has fled to Mexico, to fully explore the possibility of obtaining a Federal unlawful flight warrant concerning subject Francis.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Los Angeles, California
September 2, 1965
MALCOLM K. LITTLE
Reference the letterhead memorandum dated June 15, 1965, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, wherein Malcolm Little was identified as the former leader of the Muslim Mosque, Incorporated . . . and Elijah Muhammad as the leader of the Nation of Islam.
The Chicago Tribune, which is a daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois, on February 25, 1965 reported an interview with Los Angeles Attorney Mrs. Gladys Towles Root, who represented clients who filed the paternity suits in Los Angeles against Elijah Muhammad. Root disclosed on February 24, 1965, that Malcolm X, the Negro Nationalist Leader slain Sunday in New York, planned to be a witness against Elijah Muhammad, the Black Muslim leader in the two paternity suits. Malcolm X was reported to be the intermediary for Elijah Muhammad in trying to settle out of court the claims of the two women plaintiffs before he split with Muhammad. Mrs. Root reiterated that after the paternity suits were filed on July 2, 1964, Muhammad had tried to induce an assistant to assume responsibility for the paternity so that Muhammad could keep his spiritual image on a high plane in the eyes of his followers. She stated that Malcolm X had stated he had intended to tell all of this in court when the cases came to trial and he also said, “If these cases are not hurried, I’ll never be alive.” The two women who filed paternity suits were reportedly residing together and they moved twice since the suits were filed, according to the lawyer. She said that there had recently been an explosion at the dwelling next to the one occupied by the two plaintiffs. Mrs. Root explained she had not attempted to get an early trial set for the two cases because the women had been receiving $100 a month support for each child. The money was described as having come “from the church” by the attorney, and she said that she could not define the source of the money more specifically. It was developed during the interview that the paternity actions may have to be transferred to Chicago because that is where Muhammad has property in his own name.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Copy to:
Office: New York,
New York
Report of:
SA JOHN C. SULLIVAN
Date:
9/8/65
Bureau File No.: 100-399321
Field Office File No.: 105-8999
Title:
MALCOLM K. LITTLE
Character:
INTERNAL SECURITY—MUSLIM MOSQUE, INCORPORATED
Synopsis:
LITTLE, formerly known as MALCOLM X, leader of the MMI, was shot and killed while addressing an OAAU public rally in the Audubon Ballroom on 2/21/65, at New York City. Three members of the NOI were arrested by the NYCPD in connection with the death of MALCOLM X. MALCOLM X was buried in Ferncliff Cemetery, Hartsdale, New York, on 2/27/65. . . .
ASSASSINATION OF MALCOLM X
On February 21, 1965, at 3:10 P.M., [BUREAU DELETION] advised that MALCOLM X had just been shot in the Audubon Ballroom, New York City, while addressing an OAAU public rally. [BUREAU DELETION] that REUBEN X FRANCIS, one of MALCOLM‘S officers, fired back at those shooting at MALCOLM X. He stated that a Negro male was captured outside the Audubon Ballroom immediately after the shooting.
[BUREAU DELETION] advised Special Agent (SA) [BUREAU DELETION] on February 21, 1965, that at approximately 3:10 P.M., this date, he received a call at the station that a homicide was committed at the Audubon Ballroom, 654 West 166th Street, New York City.
He stated that [BUREAU DELETION] advised the same date that MALCOLM X, Negro, male, ag
e 39, of Suite 128, Hotel Theresa, Seventh Avenue and 125th Street, New York City, while on the stage of the Audubon Ballroom, was shot and killed by unknown persons. [BUREAU DELETION] stated that MALCOLM X was pronounced dead on arrival by Dr. J. A. COLLINS at Vanderbilt Clinic, Presbyterian Hospital, 168th Street and Broadway, New York City, on February 21, 1965. [BUREAU DELETION] stated that the NYCPD determined that the shooting of MALCOLM X occurred at about 3:10 P.M., February 21, 1965.
On February 21, 1965, [BUREAU DELETION] both of the [BUREAU DELETION] advised SA [BUREAU DELETION] that MALCOLM X was shot that afternoon during a rally of the OAAU at the Audubon Ballroom. [BUREAU DELETION] was on patrol on Broadway when he heard shots coming from the Audubon Ballroom. He immediately proceeded in that direction where he saw people coming out of the said ballroom shouting MALCOLM X had been shot. Others were shouting, “Don’t let him get away.” [BUREAU DELETION] at that time, arrested a person identified as “THOMAS HAGAN” as he was running out of the ballroom. When arrested, HAGAN had on him a .45 caliber automatic clip with four rounds. He had been shot in the left leg.
[BUREAU DELETION] further advised SA [BUREAU DELETION] on February 21, 1965, that the [BUREAU DELETION] obtained two witnesses immediately after the shooting, namely [BUREAU DELETION].
[BUREAU DELETION] gave statements in which [BUREAU DELETION] saw HAGAN with a gun in his hand while MALCOLM X was on the stage speaking. They said MALCOLM X suddenly called out “Hold it” and after this, [BUREAU DELETION] dropped to the floor and did not actually see MALCOLM X shot. They stated before they dropped to the floor, they saw HAGAN with a gun in his hand pointing it toward MALCOLM X. The next thing they saw was HAGAN trying to run out of the ballroom with a gun in his hand. According to [BUREAU DELETION] as Hagan ran out, one of MALCOLM‘S group shot three times at HAGAN with an automatic pistol. HAGAN did not have the pistol on him when he was arrested outside the ballroom.