Ray Wood was a secret police officer at the time – his family and their lawyer now claim that Wood wrote a letter on his deathbed in which they recognized the NYPD and the FBI conspired to kill the civil rights activist.
Malcolm X was shot dead during a speech in Harlem in February 1965. Wood’s family says in the letter Wood wrote that he was responsible for ensuring that Malcolm X’s security details were arrested days before the assassination.
The letter further states that this move will ensure that Malcolm X does not have through security at the Audubon Ballroom where he was killed.
Malcolm X’s three daughters, along with Wood’s family and Ben Crump’s civil rights lawyer, are now asking for the murder investigation to be reopened in the light of the new evidence.
“So what we’re trying to do is talk about restorative justice is, as lawyers – trying to pursue relentless justice,” said attorney Ray Hamlin. “On behalf of the legacy of Malcolm X, Dr. Betty Shabazz, on behalf of his family his generation who are here.”
Three members of the Nation of Islam have been convicted of the murder of Malcolm X. Last year, the Manhattan DA began an investigation into the convictions after meeting with representatives of the Innocence Project.
Now, with the new evidence, the DA office says ‘the investigation into this case is active and ongoing.’
The FBI on Monday released a statement on the investigation.
“The FBI’s field office in New York is aware of recent reports about the circumstances surrounding the death of Malcom X. We have been working with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for the past few months to help review the case and the relevant The FBI today stands for the noble pursuit of justice, and we will continue to support the review in any way we can. “
The NYPD also responded on Saturday.
A few months ago, the Manhattan District Attorney launched an investigation into the prosecution that led to two convictions for the murder of Malcom X. The NYPD provided the district attorney with all available records relevant to the case. The Department is still committed to assisting with the investigation in any way.
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