After being turned down for parole 16 times, a convicted killer of civil rights leader Malcolm X is about to go free.

A parole panel has granted Thomas Hagan, 69, seen above, his release effective April 28.

Hagan was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison in 1966 on a first-degree murder charge for shooting Malcolm X at Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom a year earlier.

Hagan has been on work release for the last 20 years, spending two days a week at the Lincoln Correctional Facility in Manhattan and the rest of the week working and living with his family.

Ilyasah Shabazz, one of Malcolm X's daughters, seen right, spoke last night in the Aubudon Ballroom, now the site of the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center, and said she is ready to forgive.

"I would really think that at this point in his life he's regretful for having been a pawn, one of the pawns in killing my father," said Shabazz. "I think, when it's all said and done, he's going to have to answer to God."

Two other men convicted of killing Malcolm X were paroled about 20 years ago.