Activists hail reform of prisoner (Tookie Williams)

The Modesto Bee ^ | November 27, 2005, 08:11:15 AM PST | Michael G. Mooney

[keat]

There undoubtedly are many people who consider Stanley "Tookie" Williams a ruthless and cold-blooded killer, fully deserving the sentence of death by lethal injection awaiting him Dec. 13. But those people, say his supporters, only see the wild-eyed young man of the early 1970s — the co-founder of the notorious Los Angeles Crips street gang. They don't see the man he's become today.

A small knot of Modesto activists hope to change all that through a teach-in Saturday on Williams and the transformation they say he's undergone while confined to Death Row at San Quentin State Prison.

"He's valuable to our community," said Vintrica Grant, a student at California State University, Stanislaus

[DoughtyOne]

Did anyone notice the A.N.S.W.E.R. signs in the pro-Tookie croud?

[goldstategop]

He's valuable alright... when he's finally six feet under. Where murderers can make their final contribution to society's well-being.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[doug from upland]

He should not be the man he is today, whatever that is. He should have been dead 20 years ago.

[ErnBatavia]

I sure did..!

[goldstategop]

If Ms. Grant is ever exposed to a cold-blooded killer, she'll wonder how she was so naive. Then I expect nothing else from stuck-on-stupid liberals.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[fish hawk]

The "Death Sentence" in Kalifornia is just a joke anyway, so who cares. He will live at least another 20 years and maybe never be put to death in that state. Much ado about nothing.

[Puppage]

"He's valuable to our community," said Vintrica Grant

Tell that to the famlies of the 4 people he murdered.

[Trueblackman]

I know most of you can't say it so I will..."Tookie looks like a Black Bigfoot," I pray you have a heart stopping moment Tookie!

[Puppage]

They don't see the man he's become today

Great, he's turned his life around. Now, he can get into heaven....he just won't get into the community.

[Chode]

if it weren't for the wretched justice system out there he wouldn't be alive to be the man he is today, whatever that is.