By Innocence Project
Photos: Wikimedia Commons\Innocence Project
Yesterday marked 59 years since civil rights leader Malcolm X was assassinated. Although all those responsible for his death have never been brought to justice, the two men wrongfully convicted of the murder spent 55 years in prison. It took until 2021 for Muhammad Aziz and Khalil Islam to be exonerated after the David B. Shanies Law Office and the Innocence Project sought and won a motion to vacate their 1966 convictions.
After 55 years of bearing the burden of a crime they did not commit, these men’s names were finally cleared.
Mr. Aziz and Mr. Islam were sentenced to life in prison based on unreliable eyewitness testimony and suppressed evidence. Despite maintaining their innocence and presenting alibis, they endured decades of incarceration, were separated from their families, and wore the false label of killers of a revered civil rights leader.
Through tireless efforts of journalists, activists, and their attorneys, new evidence came to light, exposing the misconduct that led to their wrongful convictions. This included FBI and NYPD documents hidden from the defense and prosecution, further supporting their innocence.
In a historic move, the New York County District Attorney’s Office acknowledged the injustice and joined forces to vacate the convictions. This exoneration, while long overdue, corrected a historical injustice and offered a measure of solace for Mr. Aziz and the family of Mr. Islam, who sadly passed away in 2009 without seeing his name cleared.
For a deeper look at the resilience of these two men, watch the firsthand account of the events, trial, and aftermath in X/onerated: The Murder of Malcolm X & 55 Years to Justice now streaming on Hulu.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the flaws in our criminal legal system and the devastating impact of wrongful convictions. It also highlights the crucial role of organizations like the Innocence Project in exposing injustices.
As we celebrate this victory and honor the legacy of Malcolm X, we remember the countless others who continue to fight for their freedom. Your support empowers the Innocence Project to take on these challenging cases and bring hope to the wrongfully convicted.
Together, we can work to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone.
Editor’s Note: Read the following Black Star News articles (and one written by Black Star News’ Milton Allimadi and Colin Benjamin in the Amsterdam News) about Malcolm X:
(1) Was Jimmy Breslin tipped off about Malcolm X’s assassination 50 years ago?
(2) Did Breslin, Legendary Journalist Who Inspired Me, Die With Secret About Malcolm X’s Death?
(3) Malcolm X’s Message For Fighting Injustice Should Empower Us In This Age Of Trumpian Racism
