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Norman 3X Butler, 26, a suspect in the slaying of Malcolm X, is escorted by detectives at police headquarters, after his arrest, in New York, Feb. 26, 1965. Butler, one of two men convicted in the assassination of Malcolm X, is set to be cleared after more than half a century, with prosecutors now saying authorities withheld evidence in the civil rights leader’s killing, according to a news report Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021. | AP

Prosecutors now say authorities withheld evidence that favored the defense in the trial of Muhammad Aziz, now 83, and the late Khalil Islam, according to The New York Times.

NEW YORK — Two of the three men convicted in the assassination of Malcolm X are set to be cleared Thursday after insisting on their innocence since the 1965 killing of one of the United States’ most formidable fighters for civil rights, Manhattan’s top prosecutor said Wednesday.

Prosecutors now say authorities withheld evidence that favored the defense in the trial of Muhammad Aziz, now 83, and the late Khalil Islam, according to The New York Times.

Aziz and Islam spent decades in prison for the crime, but a recent documentary sparked a nearly two-year investigation by their lawyers and the Manhattan district attorney’s office. A court date is expected Thursday.

“These men did not get the justice that they deserved,” District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. told the Times.

Vance later tweeted that his office, the Innocence Project and civil rights lawyer David Shanies’ office would ask a judge to toss out the convictions, with more details to come Thursday. A court date is expected then.

One of the civil rights era’s most controversial and compelling figures, Malcolm X rose to fame as the Nation of Islam’s chief spokesperson, proclaiming the Black Muslim organization’s message at the time: racial separatism as a road to self-actualization. He famously urged Black people to claim civil rights “by any means necessary.”

He split from the Nation of Islam about a year before he was gunned down as he began a speech in Harlem’s Audubon Ballroom on Feb. 21, 1965.

Aziz, Islam and a third man, Mujahid Abdul Halim — known at the time of the killing as Talmadge Hayer and also as Thomas Hagan — were convicted of murder in March 1966 and sentenced to life in prison.

Hagan said he was one of three gunmen who shot Malcolm X, but he testified that neither Aziz nor Islam was involved. The two, then known as Norman 3X Butler and Thomas 15 Johnson, maintained throughout that they were innocent and offered alibis at their 1966 trial. No physical evidence linked them to the crime.

“Thomas 15X Johnson and Norman 3X Butler had nothing to do with this crime whatsoever,” Hagan said in a sworn statement in 1977.

Hagan was paroled in 2010. A message was left Wednesday at a phone number he had when paroled.

He identified two other men as gunmen, but no one else was ever arrested.

According to The New York Times, the re-investigation found the FBI had documents that pointed to other suspects, and a still-living witness supported Aziz’s alibi — that he was at home with a leg injury at the time of the shooting.

The witness, whom authorities had never interviewed before and was identified only by the initials “J.M.,” said he spoke to Aziz on the latter’s home phone the day of the killing, the newspaper said.

Also, the review found that prosecutors knew about but didn’t disclose that undercover officers were in the ballroom when the gunfire erupted, and police knew that someone had called the Daily News of New York earlier that day saying that Malcolm X would be killed.

“This wasn’t a mere oversight,” Deborah Francois, a lawyer for Aziz and Islam, told the Times. “This was a product of extreme and gross official misconduct.”

Aziz was released in 1985. Islam was released two years later and died in 2009.

“I need to be exonerated,” Islam said in a 2008 talk at a Harlem bookstore. “I had to walk 22 years in prison.”

The Manhattan district attorney’s office publicly acknowledged it was considering reopening the case after Netflix aired the documentary series “Who Killed Malcom X?” last year. The series explored a theory by scholars that the two men were innocent and that some of the real killers had escaped.

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Caroline Bowman stars as Elsa in “Frozen.” | Deen van Meer

There’s plenty to see and do online and in-person in the week ahead.

Theater

The Broadway musical version of the wildly popular Disney film “Frozen” comes to town just in time to make many wish lists come true. Caroline Bowman stars as Elsa and Caroline Innerbichler as Anna in the story of two sisters, one with magical powers to freeze objects and people, a skill she doesn’t know how to control. Features the songs from the movie plus new numbers written by the film’s Oscar-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Michael Grandage directs. From Nov. 19-Jan. 22 at Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph. Tickets: $33+. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.
Based on the classic 1942 film, “Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn” follows a retired song-and-dance man’s attempts to bring entertainment to his small Connecticut town where he has opened an inn and plans to put on shows celebrating the holidays. Includes a hit parade of Berlin’s songs including “White Christmas.” From Nov. 19-Jan. 9 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Tickets: $54-$74. Visit drurylanetheatre.com.

Liz Lauren
Larry Yando is back in the Scrooge suit in “A Christmas Carol” at the Goodman Theatre.
Larry Yando returns as Ebenezer Scrooge in the 44th annual staging of the classic Charles Dickens holiday story “A Christmas Carol,” adapted by Tom Creamer. After co-adapting and directing the 2020 audio streaming version, Jessica Thebus returns to direct the play’s return for the holiday season. From Nov. 20-Dec. 31 at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn. Tickets: $25+. Visit goodmantheatre.org.
Spike Manton and Harry Teinowitz’s world premiere comedy, “When Harry Met Rehab,” features Dan Butler (“Frasier”) and Melissa Gilbert (“Little House on the Prairie”) in a humorous yet poignant look at an alcoholic on the edge of clueless annihilation. Loosely based on the real-life experiences of Teinowitz, a Chicago sports radio personality. Jackson Gay directs. From Nov. 24-Jan. 30 at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln. Tickets: $42-$85. Visit whenharrymetrehab.com.

Kamille Dawkins.
Christopher Thomas Pow (from left), Morgan Lavenstein, LaKecia Harris and Rebecca Marowitz in “Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins.”

“Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins” is Michael Dailey’s stage adaptation, with music and lyrics by Jacob Combs, of Eric Kimmel’s classic children’s holiday book about a traveling troupe of actors who must put on a show to save the holiday. The Strawdog Theatre production is directed by Hannah Todd. From Nov. 20-Dec. 12 at Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N. Ridge. Admission is free. Visit strawdog.org.
Theatre Above the Law presents the world premiere of Ryan Stevens’ holiday play “Eb & Belle,” a unique spin on Dickens that tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his first love Belle, before he became the curmudgeon we know today. Directed by Tony Lawry. From Nov. 18-Dec. 19 at Jarvis Square Theater, 1439 W. Jarvis. Tickets: $23. Visit theatreatl.org.
The Second City’s “Best of the Holidays” celebrates over 60 years of sketches, songs and comedy as the next generation of comedy superstars performs the company’s greatest holiday hits. From Nov. 22-Jan. 1 at Up Comedy Club, 230 W. North. Tickets: $39-$70. Visit secondcity.com.
Black Ensemble Theater presents Jackie Taylor and Rhonda Preston’s “Ladies, Living and Loving Life,” a musical story about two 80-something sisters, YaYa and Raya, each of whom has owned her own Chicago nightclub for 40 years, one on the South Side, the other on the North Side, where they are still the main attraction singing jazz, standards, pop, rock and more. At 8 p.m. Nov. 19, 3, 8 p.m. Nov. 20, 3 p.m. Nov. 21 at Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark. Tickets: $45. Visit blackensembletheater.org.

Dance

Todd Rosenberg
Hubbard Street dancers perform “Jardi Tancat.”

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago returns to the stage with “RE/TURN,” a program of premieres and audience favorites. Included are a new work by Jermaine Maurice Spivey making his Hubbard Street debut, Nacho Duato’s “Jardi Tancat” and Aszure Barton’s “BUSK.” At 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18, 8 p.m. Nov. 20 and 3 p.m. Nov. 21 at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph. Tickets: $15-$110. Visit harristheaterchicago.org.

Comedy

Gersh
Comedian Janeane Garofalo will perform at The Den Theatre.
Comedian-actress Janeane Garofalo began her career as a stand-up before breaking into television and movies. Garofalo was a cast member on “The Ben Stiller Show, “The Larry Sanders Show” and “Saturday Night Live” among many others. She would go on to roles in more than 50 movies. Also an outspoken activist and spoken-word performer, Garofalo brings her acerbic wit to town for four stand-up performances. At 7 and 9:30 p.m. Nov. 19-20 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee. Tickets: $18-$48. Visit thedentheatre.com.
Venus Cabaret Theater presents a monthly comedy series beginning at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21. The “Comedy at the Cabaret” line-up includes comedians Abi Sanchez, Victoria Vincent, Tyler Fowler and Casey Larwood. The evening ends with an open mic. Hosted by Scott Duff. At Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport. Admission is $15, plus a two-drink minimum. Visit mercurytheaterchicago.com.

Music

Jason Thrasher
North Mississippi Allstars

North Mississippi Allstars tour in advance of the new album “Set Sail,” due out Jan. 28 on New West Records. The songs continue the band’s tradition of creating roots music that displays remarkable variety, including an appearance by Stax Records legend Will Bell on the album standout, “Never Want to Be Kissed.” The Dickinson brothers — Luther and Cody, sons of legendary producer-musician Jim Dickinson — founded the band in 1996 and they continue to combine their two aesthetics to create the band’s unique style. Cedric Burnside opens the show at 8 p.m. Nov. 18 at Space, 1245 Chicago, Evanston. Tickets: $38. Visit evanstonspace.com.

Chicago Philharmonic presents “Simply Serenades,” a program including works by Brahms (“Serenade No. 2 in A Major”) and Dvorak (“Serenade for Winds”). Also performed is a serenade in one movement by Jonathan Bingham, recently selected as one of three winners of Chicago Philharmonic’s first Donna Milanovich Composer in Residence program. At 3 p.m. Nov. 21 at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets: $10-$75. Visit chicagophilharmonic.org.

Provided
Silver Synthetic
New Orleans rock ‘n’ roll minimalists Silver Synthetic tour behind a self-titled debut album. The band — composed of members of Bottomfeeders and Jeff the Brotherhood — has carved a niche for itself in a city where music is a life force. Relix magazine has praised the group for its “effortless, economical pop-rock songs.” Glyders and Constant Smiles open the show at 8:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western. Tickets: $10, $12. Visit emptybottle.com.

Bella Voce (formerly His Majestie’s Clerkes) presents its intimate-scale “Messiah.” The 24-voice chamber chorus is accompanied by the Bella Voce Sinfonia, presenting the full score similar to the way in which Handel would have overseen it in his day. At 7 p.m. Nov. 20 at Old St. Patrick’s Church, 700 W. Adams, and 4 p.m. Nov. 21 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 939 Hinman, Evanston. Tickets: $10-$65. Visit bellavoce.org.

Lauren Dunn
Kacy Hill
Kacy Hill has toured with Kanye West and Vanessa Beecroft as part of the YEEZUS tour, as well as collaborated and shared stages with Travis Scott, Kid Cudi, Bon Iver, Francis and the Lights, Cashmere Cat and countless others. Hill’s 2020 sophomore album, “Is It Selfish If We Talk About Me Again,” has been called “dazzling, heartbreaking and endlessly listenable.” She’s now in the midst of her first solo tour. Jack Larsen opens the show at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport. Tickets: $16. Visit lh-st.com.

Museums

Robert Wedemeyer
“Pass The Dream Act (Barbed Wire),” by Andrew Bowers (2012). Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles.
A new exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art is the first major retrospective of Los Angeles-based artist Andrea Bowers. It highlights two decades of her wide-ranging work focusing on pressing social and political issues of our time ranging from women’s and workers’ rights to climate change and immigration. Bowers has built an international reputation for her large-scale installations, detailed color pencil drawings, neon works and impactful videos. From Nov. 20-March 26 at the MCA, 220 E. Chicago. Admission: $15. Visit mcachicago.org.

“Anthro-obscene: What We Choose Not to See” features the work of photo-based artist Stefan Petranek, who works in a variety of media including historic photographs and video sculptures. Focusing on subjects that range from genetics to climate change, his work explores how contemporary culture, especially through advances in science and technology, affects our perception of nature. To Dec. 8 at Northwestern University’s Dittmar Memorial Gallery (inside Norris University Center), 1999 Campus Dr., Evanston. Admission is free. Visit northwestern.edu/norris.

Family holiday fun

DCASE
The ice rink at Millennium Park.
The holidays get underway at Millennium Park (Michigan and Randolph) with the 108th annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony (6:30 p.m. Nov. 19) and continue with the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink (Nov. 19-March 6), an Art Market (3-8 p.m. Nov. 19, noon-8 p.m. Nov. 20, noon-5 p.m. Nov. 21) and the Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along (6 p.m. Fridays Nov. 26-Dec. 17). All events are free. For more information, visit millenniumpark.org.
The Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon opens Nov. 19-March 13 with something new and unique for skaters to enjoy. The Chicago Park District and the popular “Immersive Van Gogh” exhibit team up for “Gogh Skating,” which features static designs inspired by the Dutch artist’s iconic works (“Starry Night,” “Sunflowers”) embedded in the ice. Reservations are recommended and available online. Admission: $5-$20, skate rentals available. Visit maggiedaleypark.com.
Lincoln Park Zoo’s ZooLights returns for its 27th annual holiday display with the zoo grounds transformed into a land of twinkling lights. There are also photos with Santa, a light maze, an enchanted forest and much more. From Nov. 19-Jan. 2 at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark. Tickets: $5 with some free nights. Visit www.lpzoo.org.

Magnificent Mile Association
A double-decker bus in the 2019 Magnificent Mile Lights Festival.
Michigan Avenue gets in the holiday spirit with the 30th annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival (Nov. 19-20). The festive, free weekend is filled with family-friendly fun and culminates with a parade (5:30 p.m. Nov. 20) featuring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse and the illumination of more than a million lights on 200 trees along Michigan Ave. For a complete list of events, visit themagnificentmile.com.
The always popular Christkindlmarket returns this holiday season with two locations. Fans will find the usual traditional European feel and a wide array of gifts and food. From Nov. 19-Dec. 24 at Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington; Nov. 19-Dec. 31 outside Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison. Admission is free. For more information, visit christkindlmarket.com.
Children will enjoy the Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party, a charming puppet show starring Peter Rabbit and his favorite animal friends. There also are photos with the cast, coloring activities and cookies and cocoa. From Nov. 20-Dec. 24 at Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine. Tickets: $42+. Visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org.
Rosemont’s AMAZE Light Festival features more than a million holiday lights, train rides, a holiday market, a tubing slide, Santa’s Workshop, holiday craft making, a candy shop, food and more. From Nov. 19-Jan. 2 at Impact Field, 9850 Balmoral, Rosemont. Tickets: $23, $18 for children 2-12. Visit amazerosemont.com.

NOTE: For COVID-19 safety protocols, visit the venues’ websites.

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Norman 3X Butler, 26, a suspect in the slaying of Malcolm X, is escorted by detectives at police headquarters, after his arrest, in New York, Feb. 26, 1965. Butler, one of two men convicted in the assassination of Malcolm X, is set to be cleared after more than half a century, with prosecutors now saying authorities withheld evidence in the civil rights leader’s killing, according to a news report Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021. | AP

The New York Times reported Wednesday that Muhammad Aziz and the late Khalil Islam, who spent decades in prison for the crime, were being exonerated after a nearly two-year investigation by their lawyers and the Manhattan district attorney’s office.

NEW YORK — Two men convicted in the assassination of Malcolm X are set to be cleared after more than half a century, with prosecutors now saying authorities withheld evidence in the civil rights leader’s killing, according to a news report Wednesday.

The New York Times reported Wednesday that Muhammad Aziz and the late Khalil Islam, who spent decades in prison for the crime, were being exonerated after a nearly two-year investigation by their lawyers and the Manhattan district attorney’s office. A court date is expected Thursday.

“These men did not get the justice that they deserved,” District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. told the newspaper.

Vance tweeted that his office, the Innocence Project and a law firm would move to vacate the convictions, with more details to come Thursday.

One of the civil rights era’s most controversial and compelling figures, Malcolm X rose to fame as the Nation of Islam’s chief spokesperson, proclaiming the Black Muslim organization’s message at the time: racial separatism as a road to self-actualization. He famously urged Black people to claim civil rights “by any means necessary.”

He was gunned down as he began a speech in Harlem’s Audubon Ballroom on Feb. 21, 1965.

Aziz, Islam and a third man, Mujahid Abdul Halim — known at the time of the killing as Talmadge Hayer and later as Thomas Hagan — were convicted of murder in March 1966 and sentenced to life in prison.

Hagan said he was one of three gunmen who shot Malcolm X, but he testified that neither Aziz nor Islam were involved. The two, then known as Norman 3X Butler and Thomas 15X Johnson, maintained throughout that they were innocent.

“Thomas 15 Johnson and Norman 3X Butler had nothing to do with this crime whatsoever,” Hagan said in a sworn statement in 1977.

Hagan was paroled in 2010. He identified two other men as gunmen, but no one else was ever arrested.

According to The New York Times, the re-investigation found the F.B.I. had documents that pointed to other suspects, and a still-living witness supported the alibi that Aziz has offered since his trial – that he was at home with a leg injury at the time of the shooting.

Also, the review found that prosecutors knew about but didn’t disclose that undercover officers were in the ballroom when the gunfire erupted, and police knew that someone had called the Daily News of New York earlier that day saying that Malcolm X would be killed.

“This wasn’t a mere oversight,” Deborah Francois, a lawyer for Aziz and Islam, told the Times. “This was a product of extreme and gross official misconduct.”

Aziz was released in 1985. He is now 83 years old.

Islam was released two years later and died in 2009.

The Manhattan district attorney’s office publicly acknowledged it was considering reopening the case after Netflix aired a documentary series last year, “Who Killed Malcom X?”, that explored a theory by scholars that the two men were innocent and that some of the real killers had escaped.

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Ty Rodgers, one of the top 100 seniors in the country, signed with Illinois and coach Brad Underwood on Wednesday.

Ty Rodgers, one of the top 100 seniors in the country, signed with Illinois and coach Brad Underwood on Wednesday.

“It’s a great program that I want to be a part of in playing my college basketball,” Rodgers said. “I fully trust the coaching staff and what they want to do to further my game and progress as a player. My development as a player was important to me and I believe and trust they can best prepare me for the NBA. They will get me to play hard.”

Rodgers transferred to Thornton in October. Rivals ranks him as the No. 66 player in the country and 247Sports has him at No. 54.

Rodgers led Grand Blanc High School to its first state championship last season in Michigan. The 6-6 forward was named the state’s AP Division 1 Player of the Year. He averaged 17.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.3 steals as a junior.

“He’s just a winner,” said Thornton coach Tai Streets said. “He’s always won and is such a great kid. He plays super, super hard and is a throwback who competes on every possession.”

Rodgers chose the Illini over offers from Alabama, Florida State, Memphis, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Purdue.

“Illinois felt like family to me pretty quickly,” Rodgers said. “I love it here and how everyone loves Illinois around here. It was a fun but stressful process, so there is some relief in having my decision.”

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The Chicago Blackhawks have had a lot of success over the years. They were different eras where the team struggled and there have been eras where they were awesome. Every now and then, a Hall of Fame player rolls through town to put on that sweater. There are two new additions to the Hockey Hall […] Chicago Blackhawks: 2 new Hall of Fame inductees – Da Windy City – Da Windy City – A Chicago Sports Site – Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fighting Illini & MoreRead More

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