The murder of James J. Smith occurred on November 20, 1932, when he was stabbed and bludgeoned to death by Allah Temple of Islam member Robert Harris in what he described as a human sacrifice.

The killing led to the technical dissolution of the organization, which was reconstituted under the name Nation of Islam.

Fard came to Detroit, ultimately founding a group called the Allah Temple of Islam.

Around 9 a.m. on November 20, 1932, Robert Harris had escorted James J. Smith into a room with a makeshift altar in the home at 1429 DuBois Street.

Harris then stabbed Smith in the chest, and proceeded to bludgeon him to death with an axle rod.

A "cheap magazine" was open to a story about "mysticism of the desert", with the underlined phrase "The believer must be stabbed through the heart".

Harris claimed Smith assented to the sacrifice, telling police "At first he didn't want to be killed, but when I showed him that he would be the saviour of the world and go to heaven right away, he said all right.

Police initially suspected Harris might be tied to the 1929 slaying of Benny Evangelista, whom press called a cult leader.

Press reported: "With an insane light in his eyes, he admitted that he had planned to seek out and kill Judges Edward J. Jeffries and Arthur E Gordon for the purpose of propitiating jungle gods."

Harris also reported wanting to kill a 21 year old social worker who had cut him from welfare rolls.

[13] Fard and Ugan Ali, who acknowledged leadership of the Allah Temple of Islam but vehemently denied any teaching of human sacrifice, were examined by psychiatrist David Clark, who recommended they be committed for further observation.

"[15] On November 25, Harris was arraigned on charges of first-degree murder; he pleaded guilty, but his bizarre courtroom behavior convinced witnesses of his insanity.

Judge John P. Scallen appointed three psychiatrists [16] Harris was described as throwing furniture at other prisoners.