
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 2, 1995                   TAG: 9505020146
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MINNEAPOLIS                                LENGTH: Short

MALCOLM X'S DAUGHTER GETS CHARGES DISMISSED

The daughter of Malcolm X looked to a life of privacy instead of prison Monday after charges of plotting to murder Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan were dropped as jury selection was about to begin.

Qubilah Shabazz, beset by what a prosecutor called ``an extraordinary set of historical and personal events'' after seeing her father murdered 30 years ago, agreed to abandon allegations of an FBI frame-up and seek treatment for alcohol and psychiatric problems.

If convicted, she faced up to 90 years in prison and a $2.25 million fine.

``I just want to get on with my life,'' Shabazz said. ``I want to live it privately.''

Prosecutors agreed to drop the charges after two years if Shabazz, 34, completes treatment and stays out of legal trouble. She signed an affidavit saying she accepted responsibility for her conduct but maintained her innocent plea.

A federal judge approved the agreement without comment just before Shabazz was to go on trial.

Defense attorneys said the deal exonerates her.

``They wanted her to admit guilt, which she absolutely refused to do,'' said civil rights lawyer William Kunstler, one of several attorneys for Shabazz. ``It's an enormous defeat for the government.''

by CNB