April 25, 2008
Malcolm X Assassin Wants Parole from Minimal Imprisonment
Thomas Hagan is appealing the most recent denial of his parole for the 1965 murder of Malcolm X, who was gunned down in front of his family at Washington Height's Audubon Ballroom. The September 2007 denial for parole means that Hagan's next opportunity nine months from now will be his 14th. Hagan has been imprisoned for 43 years since he pleaded guilty to killing the controversial community leader.
The extent of Hagan's imprisonment for the violent killing of Malcolm X may surprise some. The 66-year-old was sentenced to 20 years to life and has not been completely free for the last 43 years. For the past 19 years, however, Hagan has been a 5-and-2 prisoner at the Lincoln Correctional Facility, meaning that he lives with his wife in Harlem on a work-release program five days of the week, and spends two days a week (or approximately 12 hours) confined on the weekends. In contrast, James Earl Ray died in prison in 1998 for the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
The other two men who were convicted of murdering Malcolm X were paroled 20 years ago and Hagan has consistently denied their involvement in the shooting. Hagan accepts responsibility for the assassination, but says that it was an impulsive act rooted in rage and allegiance to the Nation of Islam.
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He murdered a black man and wasn't set free? If only he'd been a cop...
That's so wildly offensive that he has to spend only his weekends in jail. That's just unfathomable.
bxbrian: Amen to that.
And on a side note, I hope your Rangers tear the Penguins a new one. As a Blackhawks fan (we'll make the playoffs again one day, dammit), I'm still holding a grudge for the 92 Stanley Cup finals.
YES!
You just made my day. And it's been a long one--trust me.
If it's any consolation for you, I'm all about anyone that can stop Detroit, even if it has to be Colorado.
I'd have to say I'm rooting for the Sharks in the Western Conference, just so Jeremy Roenick will get another shot.
I only wish we could have seen Malcolm X soften with age like most of the remaining Black Panther honchos. He would have sold out eventually but instead he's the martyr/hero of every self-righteous Black Power douchebag from here to SF.
Its very common practice that people spends weekends only incarcerated. Granted this was a murder case, but I had narcotic, DWI/DUI, arson and theft clients who worked out a 5/2 deal, granted it was for years.
Imagine having to leave work on Friday afternoon and get locked up until Sunday at Midnight. You think thats so great? Shit, ill take that over a straight bullet at Rikers anyday.
Remember kids, we have a very overcrowded DOC system. Somethings gotta give....
He's fully rehabilitated: He's promised never to kill Malcolm X again, and I for one, believe him.