Percy Sutton, the civil rights lawyer who represented Malcolm X before beginning successful ventures as a political power broker and media mogul, has died at the age of 89.
Marissa Shorenstein, a spokeswoman for Governor David Paterson, confirmed that Sutton died on Saturday. She did not reveal the cause of death.
The son of a slave, Percy Sutton became a fixture on 125th Street in Harlem after moving to New York City following his service with the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II. His Harlem law office, which was founded in 1953, represented Malcolm X and the slain activist's family for several years.
Sutton also served in the New York State Assembly before taking over as Manhattan borough president in 1966, becoming the highest-ranking black elected official in the state.
Sutton mounted unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. Senate and mayor of New York, and served as political mentor for the Rev. Jesse Jackson's two presidential races.
After Malcolm X's assassination, Sutton worked as the attorney for his widow, Betty Shabazz. He also represented her grandson, 12-year-old Malcolm Shabazz, when the youth was accused of setting the 1997 fire that led to her her death.
The Reverend Al Sharpton will hold a news conference on Sunday to discuss Sutton's legacy.
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