The killer of African-American civil rights activist Malcolm X is set to gain his freedom after previously being turned down for parole 16 times.
According to the New York Times , Thomas Hagan has been held since he shot Malcolm X on February 21, 1965.
Hagan has been on work release for more than two decades but still spends two days a week at the Lincoln Correctional Facility in New York.
On his 17th parole request Hagan was set a final release date of April 28.
Hagan, who turned 69 in prison this week, shot Malcolm X while he was giving a speech at the Audubon in Washington Heights. Hagan was captured by the crowd, shot at and beaten before being taken into custody by police.
Two other men were also charged with murder but they maintained their innocence. However Hagan testified at his trial in 1966 that he was responsible for the murder and the other accused were innocent. All three were sentenced to 20 years to life in prison.
