The Assassination of Malcolm X Pt. 2

Summary

Summary of "The Assassination of Malcolm X Pt. 2" – Conspiracy Theories Podcast by Spotify Studios

Release Date: April 30, 2025

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Introduction

In the second part of the series on the assassination of Malcolm X, the Conspiracy Theories podcast delves deeper into the complexities surrounding the murder, the ensuing investigation, the trials of the accused, and the lingering questions about the true perpetrators. Hosted by Carter Roy and Hannah McIntosh, the episode meticulously examines the events leading up to Malcolm X's death, the flawed justice system that followed, and the ongoing quest for truth and accountability.

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The Night of the Assassination

On February 21, 1965, Officer Gene Roberts, an undercover agent within the Organization of African American Unity (OAAU) led by Malcolm X, witnesses Malcolm's assassination. Roberts later questioned about why he attempted to save Malcolm's life, revealing internal conflicts within the police force.

• Carter Roy [00:02]: "This episode includes discussions of violence and murder."
• Hannah McIntosh [00:17]: "Roberts is an undercover officer embedded inside the Organization of African American Unity, a political group headed by Malcolm X."

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Arrests and Initial Evidence

Following the assassination, three suspects are arrested: Mujahid Abdul Haleem, Muhammad Aziz, and Khalil Islam. While Haleem was apprehended at the scene with tangible evidence against him—such as bullets in his pocket and eyewitness accounts placing him with a gun—Aziz and Islam were primarily charged based on questionable eyewitness identification and their prior assault records.

• Hannah McIntosh [03:05]: "After Malcolm X is assassinated in February 1965, police arrest three suspects."

Despite the lack of concrete evidence linking Aziz and Islam to the murder, prosecutors indicted all three men on first-degree murder charges.

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The 1966 Trial and Flawed Proceedings

The trial centered on Eyewitness Testimony, with the prosecution alleging that Haleem and Aziz created a diversion, allowing Islam to deliver the fatal shotgun blast. However, inconsistencies plagued the prosecution's case:

• Defense Witness [04:58]: Described a different assailant, "a thick set man with a dark complexion and heavy beard," which did not match Islam's appearance.
• Hannah McIntosh [05:28]: "Islam, a lighter-skinned, slender and clean-shaven man, does not fit the description."

Furthermore, alibis and medical testimonies provided by the defense undermined the claims against Aziz and Islam, suggesting they were not present at the scene during the assassination.

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Haleem's Affidavit and Aftermath

In a surprising turn during the trial, Haleem recanted his earlier claims of innocence, admitting involvement but excluding Aziz and Islam from the assassination plot. However, without naming the actual accomplices, his testimony failed to exonerate Aziz and Islam. The jury found all three men guilty, sentencing Aziz and Islam to 20 years to life.

• Haleem [06:23]: "He recants his earlier testimony where he claimed he was innocent... but Aziz or Islam are not among them."

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Re-examination and Exoneration

Decades later, independent scholar Abdur Rahman Rahmon spearheaded efforts to uncover the truth, heavily influenced by the 2020 Netflix docu-series "Who Killed Malcolm X?". His investigation pointed to William Bradley, a man with a history aligning more closely with eyewitness descriptions of the shooter.

Rahmon's persistent efforts led to a petition to the New York Conviction Integrity Unit, ultimately resulting in the exoneration of Aziz and Islam in November 2021. The investigation revealed that the FBI and NYPD had withheld crucial evidence that could have exonerated Aziz and Islam earlier.

• Abdur Rahman Rahmon [21:11]: "He even thinks he spots Bradley."

Aziz and Islam, now older men, spoke about the irreversible impact of their wrongful convictions on their lives and families.

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Government Accountability and Further Lawsuits

Despite the exoneration, many questions remained unanswered regarding other potential conspirators and the role of government agencies in facilitating Malcolm X's assassination. In November 2024, Malcolm's daughters filed a $100 million lawsuit against the CIA, FBI, NYPD, and other entities, alleging direct involvement and a decades-long cover-up of their father's murder.

• Ben Crump [31:12]: "The government fingerprints are all over the assassination of Malcolm X, and finally we believe we have the evidence to prove it."

The lawsuit seeks to hold government agencies accountable, citing withheld information and active participation in orchestrating Malcolm X's death. While the Department of Justice and involved agencies have yet to comment, the case underscores the enduring quest for truth and justice.

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Conclusion

The episode concludes by highlighting the persistent struggle for justice endured by Malcolm X's family and wrongfully convicted men Aziz and Islam. It emphasizes the systemic failures within law enforcement and the government's role in perpetuating injustices. As the conversation closes, hosts Carter Roy and Hannah McIntosh reflect on the enduring impact of these unresolved conspiracies on the lives of those directly affected.

• Hannah McIntosh [32:35]: "Malcolm's daughters are trying to obtain government accountability, too."

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Notable Quotes

• Carter Roy [00:02]: "This episode includes discussions of violence and murder."
• Hannah McIntosh [04:43]: "The entire case is based only on eyewitness testimony, but not all the statements are consistent."
• Carter Roy [06:23]: "He recants his earlier testimony where he claimed he was innocent... but Aziz or Islam are not among them."
• Abdur Rahman Rahmon [21:11]: "He even thinks he spots Bradley."
• Ben Crump [31:12]: "The government fingerprints are all over the assassination of Malcolm X, and finally we believe we have the evidence to prove it."

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Final Thoughts

"The Assassination of Malcolm X Pt. 2" offers a comprehensive exploration of one of the most controversial and unresolved events in American history. By meticulously dissecting the flawed investigation, questionable convictions, and lingering conspiracies, the podcast sheds light on the intricate web of deceit and injustice that continues to shroud Malcolm X's legacy. For listeners seeking an in-depth understanding of the assassination and its broader implications, this episode serves as an essential resource.

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Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions and revelations presented in the episode.

Transcript

[Carter Roy]

This episode includes discussions of violence and murder.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Consider this when deciding how and when you'll listen.

[Carter Roy]

It's February 21, 1965, and Officer Gene.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Roberts is on the phone with his supervisor. Roberts is an undercover officer embedded inside the Organization of African American Unity, a political group headed by Malcolm X.

[Carter Roy]

He's being questioned because he just saw Malcolm get murdered.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Roberts superiors interview him exhaustively about what happened. He walks them through it moment by moment. But the brass gets hung up somewhere unexpected. Why Roberts administered CPR on Malcolm before paramedics arrived. Roberts is confused.

[Carter Roy]

It's his duty as a police officer.

[Hannah McIntosh]

To protect all life.

[Carter Roy]

But what his superiors want to know is why Officer Roberts tried to save.

[Hannah McIntosh]

The target of their surveillance. Welcome to Conspiracy Theories, a Spotify podcast. I'm Carter Roy. You can find us here every Wednesday. Be sure to check us out on instagram @the conspiracypod and we would love to hear from you. So if you're watching on the Spotify app, swipe up and give us your thoughts. Stay with us.

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[Hannah McIntosh]

After Malcolm X is assassinated in February 1965, police arrest three suspects. The first, Mujahid Abdul Haleem, is arrested at the scene.

[Carter Roy]

The other two, Muhammad Aziz and Khalil.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Islam, are arrested within about two weeks. Some of those in Malcolm's inner circle don't think Aziz and Islam are the right guys. They have good reason to feel that way. Police found bullets in Halim's pocket. Multiple eyewitnesses confirmed seeing him with a gun, and an angry mob was attacking him at the time of his arrest. Authorities also have substantial physical evidence against him. That's not the case with Aziz and Islam. Police are primarily interested in Aziz and Islam because they both have recent assault charges and generally fit eyewitness descriptions of the assassins.

[Carter Roy]

Aziz is ultimately arrested based off identification.

[Hannah McIntosh]

In a police lineup, a process that studies have suggested can be faulty even when conducted well. Most importantly, there's no physical evidence tying either of the other men to the scene or to the murder. But prosecutors proceed with an indictment charging all three men with first degree murder.

[Carter Roy]

According to Islam, the first time he ever met Haleem was that day in the courtroom when the prosecutor said they'd.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Conspired to murder Malcolm X.

[Carter Roy]

The trial begins in 1966.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Prosecutors claim that Haleem and Aziz distracted security guards with a disturbance in the middle of the auditorium, which allowed Islam to fire the shotgun from the front row, killing Malcolm.

[Carter Roy]

Then they say, Haleem and Aziz joined in the shooting. The entire case is based only on eyewitness testimony, but not all the statements are consistent. A witness for the defense claims he saw a completely different assailant holding the shotgun. A thick set man with a dark complexion and heavy beard.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Islam, a lighter skinned, slender and clean shaven man, does not fit the description.

[Carter Roy]

The defense further weakens the case against Islam and Aziz by presenting alibis for both men, placing them far away from the murder scene. Witnesses say they saw or spoke to the men on their home phones during the time the murder was being committed.

[Hannah McIntosh]

A doctor even testifies that he treated.

[Carter Roy]

Aziz the morning of the murder for an injury on his leg. According to the doctor, Aziz couldn't even walk.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Because the three men are being tried.

[Carter Roy]

Together, prosecutors argue that any evidence presented against one defendant should apply to all.

[Hannah McIntosh]

But there's only a strong case against Halim.

[Carter Roy]

The evidence in his case seems like it might overwhelm the reasonable doubt the.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Defense has established for Islam and Aziz. Then Halim does something surprising.

[Carter Roy]

He's already testified in his own defense, but he takes the stand a second time. He recants his earlier testimony where he claimed he was innocent. Now he admits that he was involved in Malcolm's murder. He says four other people were involved, just as the police originally suspected, but Aziz or Islam are not among them. Haleem wants to prevent Islam and Aziz from being convicted for a crime he.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Knows they didn't commit. But he's Only willing to sacrifice himself for that goal.

[Carter Roy]

Halim says that Aziz and Islam aren't.

[Hannah McIntosh]

His accomplices, but he won't name anyone who is. Halim's incomplete testimony isn't enough to sway the jury. All three men are found guilty of first degree murder. They are sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. Islam and Aziz are both married.

[Carter Roy]

Aziz has six children.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Islam has three. In 1977, after spending over a decade in prison, Halim revisits his testimony through his lawyer, William Kunstler. He issues an affidavit, a legal statement.

[Carter Roy]

Sworn by the writer to be true. In it, he names his four accomplices, gives their physical descriptions and their present locations. All of them are from the same Nation of Islam mosque in New Jersey.

[Hannah McIntosh]

That may be why no one in Malcolm's Harlem based security force recognized them as a threat. They had no way of knowing these men from out of town were members of the nation.

[Carter Roy]

But for a judge to consider the affidavit new evidence and therefore grounds for a new trial, it needs to be corroborated by either new physical evidence or.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Another firsthand witness statement. Haleem's lawyer, Kunstler tracks that down.

[Carter Roy]

He gets a sworn statement from a member of Malcolm's security team who told police that Islam and Aziz were not in the ballroom that day.

[Hannah McIntosh]

He would know he's one of the.

[Carter Roy]

Guys who trained alongside them in the Fruit of Islam.

[Hannah McIntosh]

But that's not enough.

[Carter Roy]

The judge denies Kunstler's motion for a new trial.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Kunstler goes over the judge's head and.

[Carter Roy]

Petitions Congress to reopen the case.

[Hannah McIntosh]

It goes nowhere without a new trial. No official's follow up on the names Haleem provided in his affidavit. That means it's up to the civilians. Islam and Aziz are released on parole in the mid-1980s. Both men maintain their innocence throughout their time in prison. That opinion is widely shared in the 2020 docu series who Killed Malcolm X?

[Carter Roy]

Historian David Garrow says it is universally.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Accepted among academics that the men are innocent. Even Islam and Aziz's fellow inmates seem to know it. According to Islam, even though he served alongside men who supported Malcolm, none of them ever retaliated against him for the murder. If innocent men went to prison, the real killers are still out there.

[Carter Roy]

Maybe the men named in Halim's affidavit.

[Hannah McIntosh]

But perhaps these men didn't act alone. According to Malcolm's widow, Betty Shabazz, it's.

[Carter Roy]

Common knowledge that someone among the leadership.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Inside the Nation of Islam was responsible.

[Carter Roy]

But who in the mid-1990s Shabazz and.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Her daughters focus on Louis Farrakhan, an emerging leader in the Nation of Islamic.

[Carter Roy]

In a Nation newspaper a few months.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Before Malcolm was assassinated, Farrakhan wrote, the.

[Carter Roy]

Die is set and Malcolm shall not escape. Such a man is worthy of death. In 1993, he seemed to take pride in Malcolm's murder.

[Hannah McIntosh]

In a speech to his Followers In a 2000 interview with 60 Minutes, Farrakhan himself admits that his constant railing against.

[Carter Roy]

Malcolm could have contributed to his murder.

[Hannah McIntosh]

But that's as far as he goes.

[Carter Roy]

For all of the circumstantial indicators, there's.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Never any hard evidence linking Farrakhan's rhetoric to the nuts and bolts planning of a murder.

[Carter Roy]

Plus, he was just one of many leaders in the Nation who harbored contempt for Malcolm X. Remember, Halim's affidavit mentioned that all four of his accomplices came from the same mosque in New Jersey.

[Hannah McIntosh]

The leader of that mosque, James Shabazz, no relation to Malcolm's widow Betty is one of Malcolm's biggest detractors.

[Carter Roy]

James Shabazz publicly lambasted Malcolm for exposing.

[Hannah McIntosh]

The extramarital affairs the Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad had with his secretaries.

[Carter Roy]

He says Malcolm committed a character assassination of a man Nation members consider a direct line to Allah.

[Hannah McIntosh]

When a reporter asks if one of his followers might be responsible for attacks on Malcolm, Shabazz essentially says yes. He compares it to a Christian standing up for Jesus.

[Carter Roy]

But just like with Farrakhan, there's no evidence that Shabazz ever actually directed Halim or anyone else to pick up a gun. Trying to connect any Nation of Islam leader to the specifics of Malcolm's murder gets really sticky.

[Hannah McIntosh]

That has to do with the culture and hierarchy of the organization.

[Carter Roy]

Former members now speculate that any explicit assassination planning would have been done independently.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Of figureheads like Farrakhan or Shabazz.

[Carter Roy]

Protocol for the Nation was to insulate.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Leadership from any kind of unsavory activity. But there was definitely a sense among Nation rank and file that dispatching Malcolm would be an act of service to Elijah Muhammad. That was all anyone might need to make a move. A direct order wasn't required.

[Carter Roy]

After Haleem's release, he confirms that he.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Only acted on a general sense of duty. Malcolm's assassination wasn't the result of a.

[Carter Roy]

Direct order from leadership. He didn't need one.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Malcolm's betrayal of the Nation and Elijah Muhammad was more than enough.

[Carter Roy]

But we don't really know if anyone gave an order or not because investigators never looked into Farrakhan or Shabazz or any of the alleged accomplices Haleem names in 1977. Authorities won't grant a new trial even though William Kunstler demonstrates that there is new evidence. And Kunstler only manages to uncover the tip of the iceberg.

[Hannah McIntosh]

You might have noticed some key evidence missing from the trial that didn't make Kunstler's list.

[Carter Roy]

Eyewitnessed testimony from a police officer with.

[Hannah McIntosh]

A front row seat to the assassination.

[Carter Roy]

That's right. Officer Gene Roberts was never called to testify. In fact, the lead NYPD investigator on Malcolm's murder never even knew that Roberts.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Was an undercover officer. Why was the NYPD hiding evidence from its own department? To answer this question, let's back up.

[Carter Roy]

You'll remember from part one that the.

[Hannah McIntosh]

NYPD and the FBI had Malcolm under heavy surveillance as soon as he was a rising star in the Nation of Islam. They were concerned about his potential as.

[Carter Roy]

A radical black leader. But they weren't only paying attention to Malcolm.

[Hannah McIntosh]

They were also keeping tabs on Elijah Muhammad and the entire Nation of Islam. The FBI used the same surveillance techniques they used with Malcolm. Phone taps, tails to track movements and.

[Carter Roy]

Even secret microphones hidden inside Nation administrative offices.

[Hannah McIntosh]

They also cultivated informants.

[Carter Roy]

These double agents passed privileged information about the internal workings at the Nation back to the Bureau.

[Hannah McIntosh]

The FBI's infiltration of the nation was significant.

[Carter Roy]

Of the 10 people in leadership roles in the nation, three were working with the FBI. Agents also approached Malcolm about becoming an informant.

[Hannah McIntosh]

At that point, Malcolm was only about a month away from formally breaking ties with the Nation.

[Carter Roy]

Betrayal almost made sense. But he flat out refused.

[Hannah McIntosh]

With their ear inside the Nation, the.

[Carter Roy]

FBI observed the distrust and jealousy that.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Other Nation leaders, especially Elijah Muhammad's children, had for Malcolm. The FBI saw an opportunity to diminish Malcolm's power.

[Carter Roy]

They just had to widen the rift.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Between Malcolm and Nation leadership, especially his mentor, Elijah.

[Carter Roy]

The FBI used several tactics to achieve this goal. They wrote anonymous letters to Elijah Muhammad.

[Hannah McIntosh]

And other leaders to create a sense of paranoia.

[Carter Roy]

They also leaked information to the press.

[Hannah McIntosh]

That exacerbated Malcolm's fraying relationships within the Nation. Remember that troublesome rumor that Malcolm was Elijah's successor? That was an angle the FBI pushed in the press. The FBI hoped that removing Malcolm from the Nation would curtail his power. Turns out it was the opposite. Their concern about Malcolm only grew as he established the Organization of African American Unity, or OAAU.

[Carter Roy]

From the FBI's perspective, the OAAU made Malcolm more more dangerous for two reasons. The first was his international profile they.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Feared could undermine America's power globally. The American brand in the early 1960s.

[Carter Roy]

Was one of justice and liberty.

[Hannah McIntosh]

But the optics of the government's response to the civil rights movement at the time, with its violence and water hoses and police dogs, didn't fit into that image.

[Carter Roy]

Malcolm told foreign nations that the United States shouldn't hold any kind of moral high ground as long as they continued.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Suppressing the rights of black people. Having that hypocrisy brought into such harsh relief was embarrassing, but officials also worried.

[Carter Roy]

It could hurt American credibility and foreign policy.

[Hannah McIntosh]

The other reason the FBI perceived Malcolm's new OAAU approach as a threat was his growing mainstream appeal.

[Carter Roy]

The Bureau had worried about Malcolm's vitriolic rhetoric around civil rights since he was in the Nation. But now Malcolm was pivoting to messaging that was more in line with the.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Broader civil rights movement.

[Carter Roy]

The possibility that Malcolm could bring some.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Of his extremist views to a bigger.

[Carter Roy]

More mainstream audience made him seem more.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Dangerous to them than ever before. During this time, the NYPD had a special unit dedicated to just surveilling Malcolm and the oaau. Everything they gathered was for Bureau eyes only, even information relevant to ongoing NYPD investigations. So when investigators at the NYPD were.

[Carter Roy]

Trying to figure out who who killed Malcolm X, their officers in their own department withheld relevant information.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Like that an undercover officer saw the.

[Carter Roy]

Entire assassination go down. The FBI had their own informants inside the OAAU as well. Some of them were present at the assassination. The Bureau collected their witness statements, but.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Failed to share that information with the investigators trying to solve Malcolm's murder. The FBI denies any direct responsibility for the murder of Malcolm X.

[Carter Roy]

But some experts say their unwillingness to.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Share information relevant to the investigation might indicate the awareness of some responsibility. Their own records show years of manpower dedicated to creating the circumstances that could have led to Malcolm's death. It's impossible to know how much blame they should hold, But a number of scholars maintain that FBI actions contributed to Malcolm's murder and not just his murder. It's possible they contributed to a miscarriage of justice during the trial, when the Bureau withheld key witness statements to protect themselves. They also could have protected Malcolm's real killer. Internal FBI records show that multiple informants supplied the same description for the man holding the shotgun. A stocky man with a dark complexion.

[Carter Roy]

The same description as the defense witness at trial, Islam. The man prosecutors sent to prison for firing the shotgun does not fit this description.

[Hannah McIntosh]

It does match another man, William Bradley. In 2020, Netflix released a docu series called who killed Malcolm X. It centered on independent scholar Abdur Rahman Mukha. Muhammad Rahman dedicated his life to finding the man who many scholars believe killed Malcolm X. William Bradley. Haleem's affidavit, legal motions filed by William Kunstler, and declassified FBI documents all tell the same story. William Bradley was the man who fired the shotgun that killed Malcolm. Rahmon feels sure he's looking for the right man.

[Carter Roy]

He even thinks he spots Bradley.

[Hannah McIntosh]

In infamous news coverage of the assassination, the camera is focused on a mob attacking Halim on the sidewalk outside the Audubon Ballroom. On the fringe of the group, there's a heavyset man with a dark complexion, just as so many witnesses described.

[Carter Roy]

But it's not just his look looks.

[Hannah McIntosh]

That give him away.

[Carter Roy]

The man's participation in the attack on Haleem appears to be a feint. Once the police start to break it up, he pulls away.

[Hannah McIntosh]

He walks across the frame, casually closing his coat. Rachman tracks Bradley down to that New Jersey mosque Halim claimed all the assassins attended. He's close, but he's still facing a significant obstacle. Like Malcolm X and many other Islamic.

[Carter Roy]

Men, Bradley took a Muslim name.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Without it, Rahman can't link Bradley to his current identity. Rachman has to find that name. He takes a trip to Newark, New Jersey, where Bradley's home mosque is located. Although many locals are willing to admit.

[Carter Roy]

That Malcolm's killers originated in Newark, it's.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Hard to get anyone to speak in specifics.

[Carter Roy]

Rahman ends up getting the crucial tip almost at random.

[Hannah McIntosh]

He brings up his search casually at.

[Carter Roy]

A Muslim social function. And someone from Newark speaks up with Bradley's Muslim name, Al Mustafa Shabazz.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Rahman refers to him as Mustafa in the documentary. So we'll do the same here. With that name, Rahman can finally track down current information.

[Carter Roy]

He finds out that Mustafa has a.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Long criminal history, with charges that include.

[Carter Roy]

Aggravated assault, sexual assault, robbery, terroristic threat, and more.

[Hannah McIntosh]

He's spent a fair amount of his life in prison, but like Malcolm X.

[Carter Roy]

He stuck to his faith and eventually.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Turned his life around. After Mustafa was released from prison in 1998, he married an activist in Newark, and together they opened a boxing gym for local youth. He's known in his neighborhood as a youth mentor. Mustafa's reputation makes his community protective of him. A few people seem to know about Mustafa's alleged connection to Malcolm's murder, but they're able to brush it off. After all, there's no hard proof. Others advise Rahmon to back off. One source cryptically tells Rahmon that if.

[Carter Roy]

He did what they think he did.

[Hannah McIntosh]

And he's been out here like that. They're protecting him. Rachman wonders if Mustafa is an FBI informant and that's why he was never prosecuted for his crimes. But Rahman never gets to ask the man himself. Mustafa dies suddenly before Rahman makes his approach. Rahman is devastated. He'll never be able to make Mustafa face justice. But there is another person still living and still waiting for justice. Muhammad Aziz, who served nearly 20 years in prison for his alleged participation in Malcolm's murder. Khalil Islam served 21 years and passed away in 2009. Both men always maintain their innocence. Rahman thinks they're innocent, too. Maybe there's something he can do about it.

[Carter Roy]

Rahman visits Aziz and presents him with a petition to the New York Conviction Integrity Unit. This specialized unit is designed to reconsider cases that could have resulted in wrongful convictions. But Aziz is dubious.

[Hannah McIntosh]

His perspective is reminiscent of Malcolm's. How can he trust the same system that sent him to prison to clear his name? But eventually, he agrees to sign off on the letter. Rahman submits it in February 2020. The same week Rahman's documentary who Killed Malcolm X? Premieres on Netflix.

[Carter Roy]

Manhattan's then District Attorney, Cyrus R. Vance.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Responds to Rahman's petition in front of a huge crowd of press.

[Carter Roy]

And Vance announces that he'll be reviewing the murder charges against Muhammad Aziz and Khalil Islam.

[Hannah McIntosh]

The review team faces an uphill battle. Many of the participants in the original trial witnesses, attorneys, law enforcement officers are dead. A lot of the physical evidence, including the murder weapons, as well as case.

[Carter Roy]

Notes, are no longer in NYPD storage. But Vance and his associates do have.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Access to the same records that Rachman used to track down Mustafa. They interview every living participant in the.

[Carter Roy]

Original investigation and trial. The team also tracks down new witnesses.

[Hannah McIntosh]

And gets access to previously unseen FBI and NYPD files. In November 2021, Vance is ready to report his findings. This time, the system that Malcolm and Aziz mistrusted takes a step toward regaining credibility and justice.

[Carter Roy]

Vance announces the official and complete exoneration of Muhammad Aziz and Khalil Islam on.

[Hannah McIntosh]

The charge of first degree murder. Vance's investigation confirms what civilians familiar with the murder of Malcolm X had known for decades. FBI documents show that law enforcement withheld evidence that would have prevented Aziz and Islam's incarceration. Aziz is 83 when his name is finally cleared. The family members present to support him burst into applause when they hear the good news. But when Aziz stands to speak, he's not celebratory. I do not need this court These.

[Carter Roy]

Prosecutors or a piece of paper to.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Tell me I'm innocent. I am an 83 year old man who was victimized by the criminal justice system. A civil rights lawyer representing both Aziz and Islam agrees. He says the wrongful convictions had a horrific, torturous and unconscionable impact on their lives that will never be remedied. While Aziz and Islam were incarcerated, both their marriages disintegrated.

[Carter Roy]

Even after their release.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Both men were known as murderers, which provoked prevented them and their families from living freely. Aziz describes the ongoing effect of his incarceration as a fissure in his family that has driven generations apart. He missed his children growing up and now he doesn't have much of a relationship with his grandchildren, great grandchildren or great great grandchildren. Vance admits that the system failed Aziz and Islam. He apologizes to them on behalf of all law enforcement, but acknowledges that there's no real way to make amends. Civil lawsuits on behalf of both men eventually settle for $36 million. Vance was very specific with the scope of his investigation.

[Carter Roy]

He stayed focused on whether or not Aziz and Islam received a free, fair trial.

[Hannah McIntosh]

He didn't attempt to address the outstanding questions about the other accomplices Halim named.

[Carter Roy]

In his affidavit, why none of them were investigated, or why the NYPD and FBI acted in a way that resulted.

[Hannah McIntosh]

In a gross miscarriage of justice. But he does leave one torch lit for someone else to pick up. Vance's investigation finds that the FBI and NYPD could have done more to prevent Malcolm's assassination. Malcolm's family picks up that torch and runs with it.

[Carter Roy]

In November 2024, three of Malcolm's daughters announced they are suing the CIA, FB.

[Hannah McIntosh]

FBI, NYPD and others for $100 million.

[Carter Roy]

Their lawsuit claims that officials knew Malcolm's.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Life was in danger and did not adequately protect him.

[Carter Roy]

They also allege that agencies were aware of and involved in Malcolm's assassination and.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Then worked for decades to cover up that participation. While Vance's investigation may have laid the groundwork for this new lawsuit, the lawyer.

[Carter Roy]

Bringing the case, Ben Crump, claims to.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Have found new evidence that will prove.

[Carter Roy]

A government conspiracy to execute Malcolm X. The government fingerprints are all over the assassination of Malcolm X, and finally we believe we have the evidence to prove.

[Hannah McIntosh]

It, crump said when the lawsuit was announced.

[Carter Roy]

The Department of Justice declined to comment.

[Hannah McIntosh]

As did the FBI and nypd, both, citing pending litigation. The CIA did not immediately provide a.

[Carter Roy]

Statement to news outlets.

[Hannah McIntosh]

We also reached out to these agencies for additional comment. The FBI declined to make a statement and we hadn't heard back from the other agencies at the time of are recording in early 2025. There are no further updates on the case at this time.

[Carter Roy]

The lawsuit states that Betty and the.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Entire family suffered the pain of the unknown for decades. Malcolm's daughter, Ilyasa Shabazz, says that their.

[Carter Roy]

Ongoing fight is primarily inspired by their.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Mother, Betty, who died in 1997. In the days following Malcolm's death, Betty Shabazz said that he accomplished more than can be realized at this moment. Vance's investigation added law enforcement accountability to Malcolm's legacy. Now his daughters are trying to obtain government accountability, too. Thank you for listening to Conspiracy Theories, a Spotify podcast.

[Carter Roy]

We're here with a new episode every Wednesday.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Be sure to check us out on Instagram he conspiracypod. If you're listening on the Spotify app, swipe up and give us your thoughts. Or email us@conspiracy storiespotify.com Amongst the many sources we used, we found the 2020 Netflix docu series who Killed Malcolm X? Produced and directed by Phil Berthelson and Rachel Dretson the 1994 documentary Brother Minister who Killed Malcolm X? Written and directed by Jeffrey Al Muhammad and Jack Baxter and reporting by the New York Times. Extremely helpful to our research. Until next time, remember, the truth isn't always the best, best story, and the official story isn't always the truth. This episode was written and researched by.

[Carter Roy]

Hannah McIntosh, fact checked by Lori Siegel.

[Hannah McIntosh]

Edited by Chelsea Wood, video edited by Spencer Howard and sound design by Kelly Gary. I'm your host, Carter Ro.