Posted on 11/27/2005 10:47:49 AM PST by llevrok
LOS ANGELES – Jamie Foxx stepped into the spotlight at his latest movie premiere with more than the usual publicity drill in mind. Don’t let it happen, the actor urged – don’t let the state of California execute Stanley Tookie Williams, the convicted murderer and Crips gang co-founder who’s been recast behind bars in the role of peacemaker.
Foxx is not alone. An unusually varied collection of Hollywood stars and other famous names is trying to persuade Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that Williams can do more for society alive than dead. Schwarzenegger said Friday that he would consider granting clemency to Williams.
After a private hearing with Williams’ lawyers at his Sacramento office, Schwarzenegger said he would meet again on Dec. 8 with the lawyers, Los Angeles County prosecutors and others involved.
As governor, he has the authority to commute a death sentence to life without parole. He is not legally obligated to hold a public or private hearing. Schwarzenegger decides clemency requests on a “case-by-case basis,” said his spokeswoman, Margita Thompson.
Williams, 51, faces death by lethal injection on Dec. 13 for the 1979 slayings of four people – a Whittier convenience store clerk and three people at a Pico Rivera motel a few days later. He maintains his innocence and has asked the California Supreme Court to reopen his case, alleging shoddy forensics wrongly connected him to three of the murders. Williams’ supporters range from the holy (Archbishop Desmond Tutu) to the streetwise (rapper Snoop Dogg, himself once a Crip).
His supporters cite Williams’ efforts to curb youth gang violence, including nine children’s books and an online project linking teenagers in America and abroad. A Swiss legislator, college professors and others repeatedly have submitted his name for Nobel peace and literature prizes.
Last weekend, Snoop Dogg told about 1,000 people rallying outside San Quentin State Prison that Williams’ activism has touched him. “His voice needs to be heard,” said the musician, whose new song, “Real Soon,” touts Williams’ anti-gang efforts.
Recently, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Bianca Jagger, a death penalty opponent and former wife of rocker Mick Jagger, visited San Quentin. Jackson said he prayed with Williams, promising, “We are going to fight for you and we are going to win.”
Foxx, who played Williams in “Redemption,” a 2004 movie that brought the death row inmate’s story to a wider audience, used the New York premiere of “Jarhead” to issue his plea.
In a jailhouse interview last week, Williams said he is unimpressed by his prominent supporters (“I’m blasé about everything”) and relies on his attorneys to evaluate the benefit of efforts on his behalf.
Hollywood’s political and social activism has been known to provoke criticism. But Williams said he is unconcerned his famous boosters could create a backlash that might sway Schwarzenegger against him.
“In the position I’m in, I don’t see how anybody can hurt,” he said. “The truth is the truth no matter where it comes from.”
Williams, 51, who saw the notorious gang he co-founded with a childhood friend spawn copycats worldwide, denies committing the 1979 murders that put him on death row. He was convicted of killing a convenience store worker and, days later, killing two motel owners and their daughter during a robbery.
The crimes Williams was accused of were “heinous,” said former “MASH” star Mike Farrell. But Williams has made “an extraordinary transformation,” said Farrell, who’s lobbied for him for several years.
In apparent recognition of the power of the pro-Williams movement, the state Department of Corrections launched an unusual counterattack questioning the sincerity of his anti-gang conversion and alleging he remains involved with the Crips.
Lora Owens, stepmother of victim Albert Owens, opposes clemency and resents the celebrity involvement.
“I think most of them are abusing their popularity and their access to the media,” she said.
Williams’ link to the entertainment world was cemented with the biographical movie shown on TV and at film festivals, including Robert Redford’s Sundance.
“If Stan Tookie Williams had been born in Connecticut in the same type of situation, and was a white man, he would have been running a company,” Foxx told the AP when the film aired last year on FX.
governor@governor.ca.gov
So because he was fortunate enough to out live his victims and produce something in that time he's less worthy to die? Fry the F*cker already.
No tears for the killer...
Have they executed Mumia yet?
If they haven't, maybe we can get a twofer: Tookie and Mumia getting executed the same day!
"Do you smell someting burning?"
"Yes I'm baking a batch of tookies."
Already posted...
Tear jerker or tear jerks??
If clemency is granted to keep him from being killed, how soon will it be before they are demanding he be released from prison altogether?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1529128/posts
Rev. Jesse Jackson and Bianca Jagger...What no Cindy?
Don't worry, this is giong to be a big story for the next week. I so hope the Govenator does not cave to a few idiots.
I wonder though what he is done that is so nobel and peaceful to deserve his Nobel nominations? Surely some reporter out there will ask the family of those he killed and the thousands of families with dead family members due to the CRIPS gang what is so nobel and peaceful about him?? Oh wait nevermind, won't happen.
the more reason to fry him
Yeah where is Cindy, surely he was a freedom fighter when he murdered 4 people and led the Crips to murder thousand more.
Thanks for the prompt. The following was sent this morning.
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,
You are the leader of the People of California. The People of California have made a judgement in the case of the State of California vs. Stanley Williams, and based upon the evidence, found him guilty of murder beyond a shadow of doubt in the deaths of four Californians.
An appeals process came to the same conclusion. While I am not a proponent of the death penalty, it is the law in California, which you must uphold, or law and order becomes meaningless, and justice is determined based upon celebrity opinion.
This case is not about the merits of the death penalty, it is about bringing justice to the families four citizens whose lives were cut short at the hands of this murderous thug, whose career in crime included establishing one of the bloodiest syndicated crime organizations in the world.
To grant clemency to this murderous thug based on the popularity of his celebrity supporters will set back the morale of the State of California more than anything in recent history. California will continue its slide into third world status on an even faster pace. It is only the strict and fair application of the law that makes a society great and prosperous.
Governor Schwarzenegger, I voted for you to replace Governor Davis, I voted for each of the propositions you put forth, because I believe in your leadership. Don't let the defeats of the past month turn into a larger defeat of the People of California, who have already spoken on this matter.
Yours in making California a respectable and stable place to live,
Excellent, mine was more blunt.
I say just let him out and give him a TV show.
Another actor who will never see my dime.
Kill him 4 times in fact! :-)
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