Former NYPD cop leaves deathbed confession on murder of Malcolm X
Written by Vibe Houston Staff on February 23, 2021
After 56 years, the family of Malcolm X is calling to have his murder investigation reopened.
A former New York Police Department undercover officer made a deathbed confession, writing a letter claiming that the wrong man was accused in Malcolm X’s murder, and in fact, the FBI and NYPD were involved.
“I am aging with failing health; recently I have learned of the death of Mr. Thomas Johnson and are deeply concerned that with my death his family will not be able to exonerate him after being wrongly convicted in the killing of Malcolm X,” Ray Wood wrote.
In the letter, Wood also shares that the arrest of Johnson was a cover-up to hide his involvement in the murder.
“On February 21, 1965, I was ordered to be at the Audubon Ballroom, where I was identified by witness while leaving the scene. Thomas Johnson was later arrested and wrongfully convicted to protect my cover and the secret of the FBI and NYPD,” the letter stated.
Wood said his NYPD supervisor ordered him to lure Malcolm X’s security team away from the ballroom that day, in order to leave the minister vulnerable to attack.
Wood said he actually got the two security team members involved in the Statue of Liberty plot five days before Malcolm was to appear at the Audubon, and the two were arrested, therefore not present on the day of the assassination.
The details of the confession have not been verified, but attorney Benjamin Crump, who is now representing Malcolm X’s family, is asking for the case to be reopened.
Crump wants the District Attorney to offer “restorative justice” to the family.
