Posted on 12/06/2005 12:46:48 PM PST by Paleo Conservative
LOS ANGELES -- Saying he and convicted killer Stanley "Tookie" Williams can become "a powerful force for change," the national leader of the NAACP Tuesday asked Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to grant Williams clemency.
Williams, the 51-year-old co-founder of the Crips gang, was convicted and sentenced to death in 1981 for the deaths of four people in two separate Southland robberies. He is scheduled to be executed Dec. 13.
However, in a rally with local and state NAACP chapter members on the south lawn of City Hall, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People President Bruce Gordon said he was convinced after a recent meeting with Williams at San Quentin Prison that executing him would be a mistake.
"He is our secret weapon to help young African-Americans avoid gangs," Gordon said. "We want to save his life so he can save the lives of others."
A vote for clemency is a vote for hope, Gordon said.
Asked whether he believes Williams' claims of innocence, Gordon said he was persuaded by the convicted killer's demeanor during their meeting.
"As I looked into Stanley's eyes I think I spoke to an honest man," Gordon said.
Gordon scoffed at suggestions the NAACP might be lenient on crime.
"We're not soft on crime, this is a war on crime," Gordon said.
Actor Mike Farrell and Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, who also spoke at the rally, called for a moratorium on the death penalty in California until the Legislature can assess its fairness.
Farrell also said too many people are in prison for crimes they did not commit.
"We can't afford to make these kinds of mistakes with the lives of human beings," Farrell said.
Bonnie Williams Taylor, Williams' ex-wife, told the gathering that many injustices occurred during Williams' trial.
She said her heart goes out to the families of the victims, but her ex-husband still denies killing anyone.
Alice Huffman, the NAACP's statewide president, said the group is not asking for Williams' release from prison.
"This is a not a free-Tookie rally, it's a rally to save his life," she said.
The NAACP members are making three other stops today in San Diego, Sacramento and San Francisco to hold similar rallies.
"called for a moratorium on the death penalty in California until the Legislature can assess its fairness."
Did someone actually say this with a straight face?
So the family is even split. Sad!
"He is our secret weapon to help young African-Americans avoid gangs," Gordon said.
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Yes, and is that accomplished by MURDERING PEOPLE? Sorry, this maggot should have been rose food a decade ago. The NAACP really showing its worth and system of values...
Yes they have. The problem is that the only press that releases it to the public is Fox News. The other MSM will not report what the relatives of the murdered man thinks or says.
The Grandmother of the murder man was very good at given the reasons why Tookie should not be given life and to go ahead with the original sentence.
Christ, NBC get it right! He was convicted and sentenced to death in 1981 for the murder of four people...
Because to Mike Farrell it's never about the VICTIMS! It's all about "how can I get myself on TV for 15 minutes so that people can be reminded I used to be a TV star.
When Manson and his family butchered Sharon Tate, I don't recall Farrell or anybody else asking that Charlie be spared.
Oh, BB, that's not the worst of it. You listen to some of the Moonbat Alphabet Networks (both broadcast and cable) and the correspondents make it sound as if he's being put to death for FOUNDING the Cripps!
I'm not defending the idiot and third-rate actor Farrell here but.... Manson was not given the death penalty because at the time it was illegal. Later, when it became the practice again, they could not apply it retroactively to that piece of trash. I think he actually comes up for parole periodically, along with Sirhan Sirhan.
I think executing convicted murderers is an excellent "weapon to help young African-Americans avoid gangs".
Here here!
"This is a not a free-Tookie rally, it's a rally to save his life,"
If he is not guilty, why isn't it a free Tookie rally?
Not yet, anyway.
They will.
In Singapore, when you are tried, found guilty, and sentenced to death, the execution is generally held the next morning!! No troublesome time-consuming appeals. A death penalty is just what it sounds like.
The Legislature can do whatever they want... but the people of CA already spoke via vote... they supported the death penalty when they ousted Rose Bird.
Manson was given the death penalty. It was changed when Rose Bird overturned it. Then the state via proposition voted her out of office and reinstated it.
Your post is sooooo good, it should be illegal!! :-)
Tuck Fookie
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