Stars line up in ex-gangster plea

BBC ^ | 11/28/05 | n/a

[kiriath_jearim]

Monday, 28 November 2005, 10:58 GMT

Stars line up in ex-gangster plea

Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx is among a number of high-profile stars calling for clemency for reformed gang leader Stanley "Tookie" Williams.

Foxx, who starred in a dramatisation of Williams's life, protested against Williams's planned execution at the premiere of his new film Jarhead.

Last week rap star Snoop Dogg spoke at a rally at San Quentin prison saying Williams's voice "needs to be heard".

Williams, 51, was sentenced to death in 1981 for the murder of four people.

Co-founder of the notorious Los Angeles Crips street-gang, Williams denies committing the 1979 murders that put him on death row.

He faces death by lethal injection on 13 December 2005.

While in jail, Williams has won praise for his anti-gang books, earning several Nobel Peace Prize nominations for his teachings.

His supporters range from Foxx and Snoop Dogg (himself a former Crips member) to Bishop Desmond Tutu and the Reverend Jesse Jackson.

They hope to persuade California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger that Williams can do more for society alive than dead.

When the Williams' biopic Redemption aired on US television last year, Foxx said: "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."

"But, born a black man who has the capability of having brute strength and the capability of being smart in the ways of the world, he's going to get into what he gets into."

But US prosecutors said Williams was a "cold-blooded killer" who did not deserve "atonement" for his "brutal, murderous acts".

The crimes Williams was accused of were "heinous," said former MASH star Mike Farrell, who has lobbied for him for several years, but insists he has made"an extraordinary transformation".

Russell Crowe and Harry Belafonte are among the signatures Farrell has collected calling for clemency for Williams.

[b4its2late]

I read over the weekend that the Governator is actually considering celmency. That's what's scary, not all this BS from the Hollyweird left.

[rickmichaels]

"...he's going to get into what he gets into."

And he's going to get what's coming to him.

[billorites]

Tookie's gonna outlive us all.

[MEG33]

He may be right with his Maker..but the state gave him a well deserved death penalty..The people have spoken.

Tookie has executed his victims..His victims were not afforded the same chance for transformation.

[sheik yerbouty]

Let them all share the same IV..

[MEG33]

It is California..You may be right.

[teenyelliott]

But, born a black man who has the capability of having brute strength and the capability of being smart in the ways of the world, he's going to get into what he gets into."

Bullshit.

Like this "poor black man" had no choice? Give me a break. And he is responsible for the deaths of possibly thousands of others who joined his violent mindset, and all of their victims, as well.

Why don't these numb skulls spend their valuable time lauding the accomplishments of people who haven't murdered others? Is that too much to ask?

[Stayingawayfromthedarkside]

It's funny how Mike Farrell says he made "an extraordinary transformation" when he probally didn't even know Tookie back when he committed this heinous crime.

[Abathar]

People are making such a big deal about his name being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, I guess they don't understand that anyone can nominate anyone else for the honor of it, I could nominate my neighbor Steve and he could then claim for the rest of his life he got nominated.
Fry him and as many of his gang members as we can round up.

[Tulsa Ramjet]

How about a stars rally for the victims? Is that too much to ask?

[fisherman90814]

I don't think so. Him granting clemency will seal his fate with CA GOP's. Many CA Republicans will not vote for him over this issue. Also, this guy committed 4 shotgun murders at close range execution style. Arnold also denied the last clemency request.

[bpjam]

Trivia question::::: What year was the last execution in California?

If you know the answer, you will know what the odds are that this hoodlum gets killed by the state. (btw, is there anybody who doesn't have a deathbed conversion when facing certain execution?)

[Paradox]

He actually sounds like a great guy, and a credit to himself. Its a shame his work will be cut short by his execution. Arguably, more good might be served by keeping him alive. However, JUSTICE calls for his death.

Having said that, I am against capital punishment in general, there are a few other freepers like me.

[curtisgardner]

Williams, 51, was sentenced to death in 1981 for the murder of four people.

Great. Hes been using up our tax dollars rotting away in prison for 24 years. He should have been put to death years ago.

[An.American.Expatriate]

???

"ex"- gangster

"reformed"

???

I guess if "ex" gangster means someone who hasn't had the chance to be one while incarcerated, then Tookie qualifies.

As to reformed . . . based on what evidence? That the libs love him??

[DogBarkTree]

Id be willing to accept Tookie walking as long as all the stars who spoke up for him will get the needle instead. Sounds fair to me.

[Sprite518]

I guess all the famous "Crips" will come to his defense?

[KC_Conspirator]

Yet again, not one word about the victims or their families. This guy was convicted for crying out loud.

[Paul_N_Lakeside]

I agree, but I'm evil :-o]

I'd rather him get a breast augmentation, and then let loose in the general (prison) population.