Malcolm X
Page 38
On the afternoon of 2/24/66, Assistant District Attorney DERMODY advised SA [BUREAU DELETION] that DURANT testified on behalf of the State and identified the photographs as those taken by him in March, 1963, at Muhammad’s Mosque No. 25, Newark, NJ, of a karate team that put on a karate exhibition. He then identified HAYER as TALMADGE who actually introduced himself to him during the affair.
Assistant District Attorney DERMODY again expressed his appreciation for the cooperation given to him by SA [BUREAU DELETION] and SA [BUREAU DELETION]. He stated that the state has just about completed its case and described the photograph and DURANT’s testimony “as frosting on the cake” as far as the presenting of his case to the court is concerned.
FBI
Date: 3/7/66
TO
:
DIRECTOR, FBI (100-399321)
FROM
:
SAC, NEW YORK (105-8999)
SUBJECT
:
MALCOLM K. LITTLE aka
SM-MMI
ReNYairtel dated 3/3/66.
For the information of the Bureau and Newark Office. [BUREAU DELETION] NYC, advised SA [BUREAU DELETION] on 3/4/66, that THOMAS 15X JOHNSON and his wife testified at the MALCOLM X murder trial on 3/3 and 4/66.
Mrs. JOHNSON testified on 3/3/66, and stated that her husband was home all day on 2/21/65, when MALCOLM X was killed. When questioned by the prosecutor as to whether her husband ever had a gun at home, she refused to answer the question. Later during the trial, Defense Attorney WEAVER asked Mrs. JOHNSON if her husband ever had a gun, and she answered yes. The prosecutor then told Mrs. JOHNSON that he asked her the same question only a few moments ago and she refused to answer the question. Mrs. JOHNSON then remarked “I don’t have to answer to the police.”
THOMAS JOHNSON took the witness stand on 3/3/66 and the morning of 3/4/66. He denied ever leaving his home on 2/21/65, let alone killing MALCOLM X at the Audubon Ballroom on that date. He also stated he never handled a gun at any time in his life. Under cross-examination, JOHNSON admitted that he once bought a gun while he was unemployed and obtaining funds from the NYC Welfare Department.
[BUREAU DELETION] believed the case will go to the jury on or about 3/10/66.
AIRTEL
3/3/66
TO
:
DIRECTOR, FBI (100-399321)
FROM
:
SAC, NEW YORK (105-8999)
SUBJECT
:
MALCOLM K. LITTLE aka
SM-MMI
ReNY teletype dated 2/28/66.
For the information of the Bureau and Newark Offices. [BUREAU DELETION] New York City, advised SA [BUREAU DELETION] on 3/2/66 that TALMADGE HAYER, while testifying on the stand in the MALCOLM X murder trial on 2/28/66 and 3/1/66, admitted he was hired to kill MALCOLM X for money, and had three other confederates whom he refused to identify. He did state that NORMAN 3X BUTLER and THOMAS 15X JOHNSON, also charged with the killing of MALCOLM X, are innocent.
[BUREAU DELETION] stated that the defense called a Dr. KENNETH SESSLOWE, Lincoln Hospital, Bronx, to the witness stand on behalf of NORMAN BUTLER, who claimed the doctor treated him for an injured leg when MALCOLM X was killed. During the cross examination by Assistant District Attorney VINCENT J. DERMODY, the doctor admitted that he treated BUTLER, but four days after the killing of MALCOLM X and that the injury could have been caused by a person falling down a flight of stairs. It is noted that when [BUREAU DELETION] testified at the trial, he stated that one of the assassins jumped over TALMADGE HAYER while running down the stairs to get out of the Audubon Ballroom after MALCOLM X was killed. The defense attorneys, according to [BUREAU DELETION], were disturbed by the doctor’s testimony and said they would impeach the doctor. Judge CHARLES MARKS reminded the defense attorneys that the doctor was their witness.
[BUREAU DELETION] stated that District Attorney DERMODY requestioned BUTLER about meeting with JOHN ALI, NOI National Secretary, at the Americana Hotel, NYC, the night before MALCOLM X was killed. BUTLER stated he knew JOHN ALI but never met him. [BUREAU DELETION] said information was received that JOHN ALI met with HAYER the night before MALCOLM X was killed, but that the witness to this meeting was later arrested for theft and was now considered undesirable as a state witness.
[BUREAU DELETION] stated that CHARLES 37X MORRIS, was this date again called to the witness stand, this time on behalf of the defense. During cross examination MORRIS admitted that he was once a member of the NOI in NY and at that time knew BUTLER and JOHNSON as members of the NOI “Enforcement Squad” whose duty it was to talk to and sometimes “shake up people.”
According to [BUREAU DELETION], while BUTLER was on the witness stand Judge MARKS stated that if BUTLER’s manners on the stand did not change, he would charge the jury to take into consideration BUTLER’s mannerism and demeanor in determining if he was telling the truth on the witness stand. [BUREAU DELETION] stated that BUTLER’s action on the witness stand was very detrimental to his case.
[BUREAU DELETION] stated THOMAS 15X JOHNSON is scheduled to be called to the witness stand on his own behalf on the afternoon of 3/2/66.
TELETYPE UNIT
MARCH 11 1966
ENCODED MESSAGE
FBI NEW YORK
1/43 P URGENT 3-11-66 JAM
TO DIRECTOR /4/ 100-399321
FROM NEW YORK 105-8999 IP
MALCOLM K. LITTLE,
SM-MMI
NEW YORK STATE SUPREME COURT JURY FOUND TALMADGE HAYER OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, NORMAN THREE X BUTLER AND THOMAS FIFTEEN X JOHNSON OF NEW YORK, GUILTY OF FIRST DEGREE ON MARCH ELEVEN NINETEEN SIXTY SIX FOR THE MURDER OF MALCOLM K. LITTLE COMMONLY KNOWN AS MALCOLM X.
SENTENCE SCHEDULED FOR APRIL FOURTEEN NEXT.
LETTER FOLLOWS.
COPY OF INSTANT TELETYPE BEING SENT TO NEWARK BY MAIL.
CORR TIME SHD BE 143 PM
END
2- HL
FBI WASH DC
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO
:
DIRECTOR, FBI (100-399321)
DATE: 3/16/66
FROM
:
SAC, NEW YORK (105-8999) (P)
SUBJECT
:
MALCOLM K. LITTLE, aka
SM-MMI
ReNYtel, 3/11/66.
[BUREAU DELETION] advised SA [BUREAU DELETION] on 3/11/66, that on that date NORMAN 3X BUTLER, THOMAS 15X JOHNSON and TALMADGE HAYER were found guilty of murder in the first degree for the killing of MALCOLM X on 2/21/65, at NYC.
On 3/14/66, Assistant District Attorney VINCENT J. DERMODY, NYC, advised SA [BUREAU DELETION] that the NY State Supreme Court jury deliberated over 20 hours and at 12:20 A.M. on 3/11/66, returned a verdict of murder in the first degree on the defendants BUTLER, JOHNSON and HAYER for the assassination of MALCOLM X. Mr. DERMODY stated that Justice CHARLES MARKS set 4/14/66 for sentencing. He further stated that if BUTLER, JOHNSON and HAYER are sentence to life imprisonment, as is mandatory for murder in the first degree, the trio would have to serve a minimum of 26 years 8 months before they will be eligible for parole.
The NYO will continue to follow this case and report results of sentencing on 4/14/66.
FBI
Date: 4/14/66
TO
:
DIRECTOR, FBI (100-399321)
FROM
:
SAC, NEW YORK (105-8999) (RUC)
SUBJECT
:
MALCOLM K. LITTLE aka SM-MMI
On 4/14/66, [BUREAU DELETION] NY County, NYC, advised that on this date, NY County Supreme Court Judge CHARLES MARKS sentenced NORMAN BUTLER, THOMAS JOHNSON and TALMADGE HAYER to life imprisonment for the murder of MALCOLM LITTLE, commonly known as MALCOLM X.
It is noted that a person sentenced to life imprisonment for murder in the first degree in NY County must serve a minimum of 26 years, 8 months before they can be eligible for parole.
[BUREAU DE
LETION] also advised that as of this date, it has not been determined where the trio will be incarcerated to serve their sentences.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
New York, New York
February 23, 1967
Memorial March and Service
Commemorating the Death of Malcolm X
Information Concerning
On February 23, 1967, [BUREAU DELETION] advised that a Memorial March and Service Commemorating the Death of Malcolm X took place at approximately 12 noon on February 22, 1967, at the Audubon Ballroom, West 166 Street and Broadway, New York City.
Approximately one hundred people marched in a parade down Broadway to 145 Street, and then crossed over to Seventh Avenue. At this point, they marched down to 125 Street, where they were joined by about another one hundred people. Here a Memorial Service of Malcolm X was conducted and a small bust of Malcolm X was unveiled.
Speakers were as follows:
Akiyele Awolowo, Chief of Information of the Harlem People’s Parliament.
Baba Oseijeman Adefumi, the Prime Minister of the Harlem People’s Parliament, and High Priest of the Yoruba Temple, who stated that the Negro people should buy goods from black people.
Stokely Carmichael, Executive Director of the Student NonViolent Coordination Committee, who stated that from now on they will no longer celebrate the death of Malcolm X, but instead will celebrate his birthday.
Charles 37X Morris, a Militant black nationalist who spoke in general laudatory terms about Malcolm X.
Ella Collins, President of the Organization of Afro-American Unity, who also spoke in general terms about the good that Malcolm X did while he was living.
The affair terminated at 2:30 P.M. with about two hundred people in attendance.
There were no arrests or incidents.
SECTION 19
April 29, 1969–June 20, 1980 plus Recordings and Appendix
REPORTS:
1. April 25, 1969. Memo to W.C. Sullivan. Book Review
2. June 6, 1970. Memo to W.C. Sullivan. Book Review
3. August 20, 1970. Memo to CD. Brennan. Book Review
4. August 1, 1970. Memo to E.S. Miller. Book Review
5. April 19, 1972. SAC, Albany to Director
6. May 16, 1972. San Diego to Bureau
7. May 17, 1972. Memo. SAC, Seattle to Acting Director
8. May 19, 1972. New York to Acting Director. Teletype
9. May 20, 1972. Washington Field to Acting Director
10. May 20, 1972. Cincinnati to Acting Director. Teletype
11. May 31, 1972. Jackson, Mississippi
12. June 6, 1972. Memo. SAC, New Haven to Acting Director
13. June 9, 1972. Memo. SAC, Miami to Acting Director
14. June 21, 1972. Baltimore
15. May 29, 1980. Congressman W. Hughes to Director Webster
16. June 20, 1980. Asst. Director Revell to W. Hughes
17. Technical Surveillance Recordings. June 3-Oct 3, 1964
18. APPENDIX
This final section offers book reviews, information regarding celebrations of Malcolm’s birthday in 1972, a request from New Jersey Congressman Hughes to reopen the case against Butler and Johnson, and telephone surveillance recordings from 1964. An appendix then offers reference assistance for the entire FBI file.
The book reviews are submitted in the form of memos written by b7C informants to agents with a summary of the publication followed by a reference as to whether or not the FBI is mentioned in the book. During 1972, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover died, so some memos from that year are addressed to “Acting Director.”
The telephone recordings from 1964 were useful to the FBI because they could supply immediate information regarding Malcolm’s activities and could confirm informant reports as well. No reason is listed as to why they were discontinued after exactly four months.
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO
:
Mr. W. C. Sullivan
DATE: 4/25/69
FROM
:
[BUREAU DELETION]
SUBJECT
:
BOOK REVIEW
“MALCOLM X, THE MAN
AND HIS IDEAS”
BY GEORGE BREITMAN
RACIAL MATTERS
This memorandum presents a review of captioned book published in 1965 by Merit Publishers, which is being placed in the Bureau Library.
REVIEW OF BUREAU FILES
The author is [BUREAU DELETION] former editor of The Militant a publication of that organization [BUREAU DELETION].
BOOK REVIEW
The author describes the life of Malcolm X from his childhood to his assassination in February of 1965. After the death of his parents, he lived at state institutions and boarding homes until the age of fifteen when he went to live with his sister in Boston, Massachusetts, and drifted into a life of crime including gambling, drugs, hustling, and burglary. In 1946 at the age of twenty, he was convicted of burglary and sentenced to ten years in prison.
During his incarceration, which continued for six years, he was introduced to the Nation of Islam headed by Elijah Muhammad. During this period he educated himself and learned to speak and debate. The author described him as the most respected debater in the country. After parole, he traveled to Chicago, Illinois; met Elijah Muhammad; was accepted into the Nation of Islam; and in a few short years his work, through his plain direct speaking style, helped transform the Black Muslims from a virtually unnoticed to a well-known organization.
While in the Black Muslims, Malcolm X traveled throughout the country as Muhammad’s troubleshooter and came to know the ghetto areas nationally. According to the author, Malcolm X became attuned to the needs and wants of a growing multitude of black people looking for a new road. In 1964 he decided his place was with the Negro masses rather than with Muhammad’s organization.
He split with Muhammed’s organization and undertook the difficult task of building a new movement based on the black unity of all Negroes regardless of their religion and philosophies as long as they were ready to fight for freedom. His new organization was known as Muslim Mosque, Incorporated. He traveled to Africa and the Middle East to mobilize African support behind a project to put the United States government on trial in the United Nations for continued oppression of the American Negroes. He favored Negroes organizing politically, electing their own candidates, and driving “black stooges” from office in the major political parties. Malcolm X was revolutionary and became increasingly more anticapitalist and prosocialist. He read the Socialist Workers Party publication, “The Militant,” and urged other Negroes to do likewise.
No mention is made of the FBI in the book.
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO
:
Mr. W. C. Sullivan
DATE: 6/5/70
FROM
:
[BUREAU DELETION]
SUBJECT:
BOOK REVIEW
“THE SPEECHES OF
MALCOLM X AT HARVARD”
BY ARCHIE EPPS
RACIAL MATTERS
This is a review of captioned book published in 1969 by Apollo Editions. The book is being placed in the Bureau Library.
[BUREAU DELETION] Epps is Assistant Dean of Harvard College. He is described as founder and advisor of “The Harvard Journal of Negro Affairs.”
Book, 191 pages, divided into two parts, latter part being verbatim texts of speeches by Malcolm X on 3/24/61, 3/18/64 and 12/16/64. First 112 pages are analysis by Epps of the speeches in effort to determine personal motivations and goals of Malcolm X (true name Malcolm Little). Epps noted first speech given at time when Malcolm X was deeply involved in Nation of Islam (NOI) and was dedicated follower of NOI head Elijah Muhammad. His remarks showed Black Muslim view of the white man as a lowly animal but freedom of the black man from yoke of white man
was placed in terms of redemption by God. Shortly before second speech, Malcolm X resigned from the NOI because of disillusionment. In the second speech, he appeared no longer to believe to rely upon God to save the black man from the white man but presented the Negro people as both judge and executioner of the whites. The final speech was made shortly after he had returned from an extensive trip to Africa and just two months before his assassination. The author concludes that Malcolm X saw himself and the Negroes as exiles in a society which was a jungle for them, threatened by daily violence. He was a mixture of prophet, escapist and revolutionary.
No mention of the FBI is made in the book.
ACTION:
For information.
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO
:
Mr. C. D. Brennan
DATE: 8/20/70
FROM
:
[BUREAU DELETION]
SUBJECT
:
BOOK REVIEW
“THE ASSASSINATION OF
MALCOLM X:
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
AND THE TRIAL”
BY GEORGE BREITMAN
AND HERMAN PORTER
RACIAL MATTERS
This is a review of captioned booklet published in 1969 by Merit Publishers, which is being placed in the Bureau Library.
REVIEW OF BUREAU FILES:
Breitman is [BUREAU DELETION] a former editor of The Militant, a publication of the SWP. Porter is [BUREAU DELETION] a writer for The Militant. [BUREAU DELETION]