Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 13, 1995 TAG: 9501130095
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: MINNEAPOLIS LENGTH: Medium
Qubilah Shabazz, who witnessed her father's murder at the age of 4, was accused of using the telephone and crossing state lines in trying to set up Farrakhan's slaying by an unidentified government informant. If convicted, the 34-year-old woman could get up to 90 years in prison and $2.25 million in fines.
Authorities said the plot against Farrakhan didn't get past the planning stages, and he was never in any immediate danger. Details of how he was to be killed were not disclosed.
Farrakhan, who lives in Chicago, couldn't be reached for comment; the Nation of Islam, often known as the Black Muslims, has scheduled a news conference today.
Shabazz appeared in court for a brief hearing Thursday and was released on $10,000 bail.
Prosecutors refused to give a motive for the alleged plot against the 61-year-old Farrakhan. But Shabazz's court-appointed lawyer, Scott Tilsen, said he expected the government to argue that Shabazz thought Farrakhan was involved in her father's murder.
Members of Malcolm X's family have long suspected that Farrakhan had a hand in the assassination of the Black Muslim in the Audubon Ballroom in New York City's Harlem. Malcolm X was shot to death on Feb. 21, 1965, as he gave a speech to followers.
A year after the slaying, three men were convicted of the murder. Two were Nation of Islam members. The three were sentenced to at least 20 years in prison. At least two have since been paroled.
Tilsen said Shabazz was entrapped by the man who was supposed to assassinate Farrakhan. He said the man was a childhood friend of Shabazz who now works for the government.
``This case is about him enticing, luring and seducing her into the plot,'' Tilsen said. ``Her friendship and trust in him was used.''
U.S. Attorney David Lillehaug said the man who was supposed to carry out the murder has cooperated with investigators and will be a witness. Prosecutors don't think he is a member of the Nation of Islam. Neither Tilsen nor Lillehaug would identify the man.
The indictment follows a seven-month FBI investigation of Shabazz, who moved to Minneapolis from New York City in September. She surrendered Thursday.
The indictment says Shabazz made eight phone calls in July and August to the man who was supposed to kill Farrakhan and gave him a partial payment after moving to Minnesota. Prosecutors said the man was living in Minnesota then.
The indictment said the killing was to occur in Illinois.
Malcolm X had been the voice of the Nation of Islam under Elijah Muhammad but was exiled from the group in 1963. He subsequently came under verbal attack from other members, including Farrakhan, whom he had recruited.
by CNB