3rd Man Seized in Malcom X Death

Mar. 3, 1965 - A Black Muslim already under indictment in the shooting of a defector from the movement was arrested today in the slaying of black nationalist leader Malcolm X.

With his arrest, police sources said they had the three men who pumped 13 slugs into Malcolm X from two pistols and a shotgun Feb. 21 as he addressed a rally of his followers at the Audubon Ballroom.

The newest prisoner was Thomas 15X Johnson, 30, of 932 Bronx Park South, Bronx, married, a father, and a jobless painter.

Said Assistant District Attorney Herbert Stern at the W. 100th St. station: “I have ordered him booked for the homicide of Malcolm X, which he perpetrated with others.”

And from Assistant Chief Inspector Joseph Coyle, head of the murder probe, came this comment: “We didn’t book him for nothing.”

Johnson — tall, personable, dressed neatly in a checked suit, white shirt, black tie, and black shoes — was calm during the brief proceedings.

“Do you use drugs?” demanded desk Lt. Ludwig Mache. “No, sir,” Johnson replied.

Already held without bail were Norman 3X Butler, 26, an enforcer and member of the Fruit of Islam, the elite bodyguard of Elijah Muhammad, the Chicago-based “prophet” of the movement; and Talmadge Hayer, 22, also known as Thomas Hagan.

Hayer was shot in the leg by a bodyguard of Malcolm X as he fled the ballroom and is in the Bellevue Hospital prison ward. Butler, held without bail, went before Criminal Court Judge Reuben Levy today for pleading, but the case was put over until tomorrow.

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