Judge Delays Testimony Decision

A federal magistrate delayed a decision Thursday on whether the informant who says Malcolm X’s daughter hired him to kill Louis Farrakhan must field defense questions before trial.

U.S. Magistrate Franklin Noel said he will rule March 21 whether Michael Fitzpatrick must testify before trial about how he made the tapes that the prosecution wants to use as evidence against Qubilah Shabazz.

The defense, however, wants the tapes thrown out.

Shabazz, 34, denies charges that she plotted to have the Nation of Islam leader killed and says the government set her up. She and her mother have said they believe Farrakhan was involved in Malcolm X’s 1965 assassination.

The trial is scheduled for May. Shabazz faces up to 90 years in prison and a $2.25 million fine if convicted.