Malcolm X’s Grandson Sentenced to 18 Months for Shabazz’s Death
YONKERS, N.Y. — The 12-year-old grandson of Malcolm X was sentenced Friday to at least 18 months at a juvenile center for burning to death his grandmother, Betty Shabazz.
Malcolm Shabazz could be held until he turns 18. His sentence will be reviewed at the end of the 18 months and every year thereafter.
Malcolm pleaded guilty July 10 to the juvenile equivalent of manslaughter and arson in the death of his grandmother, with whom he had been sent to live.
The widow of the slain civil rights activist suffered burns over 80% of her body in the blaze June 1 at her apartment in Yonkers and died June 23 after a series of painful operations.
Prosecutors said the boy set the gasoline fire in hopes of being reunited with his mother, Qubilah Shabazz, who has had legal trouble and alcohol problems.
Malcolm will serve his time at Hillcrest Education Center Inc., a center for troubled youngsters in Lenox, Mass.
Joseph DeCarlo, the probation officer assigned to the case, said Hillcrest has successfully dealt with firesetters and runaways. He said New York had no place that could deal with Malcolm.
Psychologist Elizabeth Osborn previously testified that Malcolm is “a schizophrenic boy of a paranoid type,” has an extreme fascination with fire and imagines himself as a character he calls “Sinister Torch.”
Qubilah was accused in 1994 of plotting to kill Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan in revenge for her father’s assassination. Betty Shabazz had publicly accused Farrakhan of a role in the murder. However, Farrakhan and Mrs. Shabazz later publicly reconciled, and charges against Qubilah were dropped.
More to Read
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.