(Tookie) Williams' attorneys make clemency plea to governor

Mercury News ^ | 12-8-05 | Kravets

[doug from upland]

ENTIRE STORY: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/13352740.htm

SACRAMENTO - Death penalty opponents rallied outside the Capitol on Thursday as lawyers for Stanley Tookie Williams took their case to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in a final effort to spare the Crips gang founder from execution.

A group of about 75 demonstrators chanted, "Love life, save Stan's life," as the governor met behind closed doors with defense lawyers and prosecutors to weigh the fate of a man condemned for four 1979 murders who claims he turned his life around on death row.

Clemency, which would commute a death sentence to life without parole, is likely the only avenue left for the gangster-turned-preacher of peace. Williams, 51, is scheduled to die Tuesday by lethal injection.

[ElPatriota]

You know, who gives a SH*** if is a "saint," now. He took the lives of people and we must NEVER FORGET THEM... and for that, he must die. Killers should know, that they can not get away with killing others.

It pains me to think of those who died a the hands of this monster, and the pain of all those relatives who still must bear the pain of losening them in such a tragic way.

Kill the bastard!

[sixgunjer]

I'd like to be wrong about this, but I'd say it's a better than even chance that the Governor lets Tookie live. He is, after all, a European. Europeans are have an automatic reflex when it comes to opposing the death penalty when America does it. (They don't seem to mind it when they load up millions of people on trains and haul them to concentration camps, or when it is applied by a ruthless dictator in a country other than America). He's got a lot of pressure from left wing groups and Hollywood types, and is probably thinking about possible "civil disobedience," should he let the sentence be carried out.

[Rummyfan]

He's got a lot of pressure from left wing groups and Hollywood types, and is probably thinking about possible "civil disobedience," should he let the sentence be carried out.

He's still the governor and he should not let threats of mob violence, whether implied or explicit, sway the justice system. That's a very dangerous precedent.

[luvbach1]

I understand Tookie has been active in his anti-gang crusade for over 20 years. And we're told that society can't afford to lose his services. I think a cogent question to ask is: What impact has he had on criminal gang activities during that period? For instance, do stats show a significant decrease in drive bys during any part of that period. Or in any other area of gang criminality?

[Looper]

Doug,

I just wanted to thank you for posting the DA's brief. A good read, so bumping this to the top.

Arnie better not grant this murderer clemency.

[doug from upland]

Perhaps he has had some impact on a few, but he has refused to give the police the help they need to solve cases and learn more about the gangs. He doesn't want to be a snitch.

[doug from upland]

An eye-opening report. Everyone should read it. I hope Arnold did.

[Looper]

Yes, me too. I continue to be Arnie supporter but he's lost me if he lets Tookie off the hook.

We have witnessed some incredibly slanted reporting on this case. Tookie is as guilty as sin, and the fact that he does not seek forgiveness for his sins from the victims' families ought to weigh against clemency.

[JCEccles]

Tookie murdered four souls and created the Crips but deserves clemency because, after his creation murdered thousands of souls, he wrote a few children's books when his own hide was on the line?

This makes sense to you?

You can't see that a stronger and more consistent message against gang membership is sent to would-be Crips by his execution?

[dagnabbit]

LOL !

[Ouderkirk]

a must read...I doubt that mike farrell read it

fry tookie, fry !!

[luvbach1]

The implication of my post was that he (Tookie) has NOT made a significant contribution against criminal gang activities or gang membership.

[Dad yer funny]

so , realistically ,... when might we expect AHnold to render his utterance[burp]** :: 'scuse meeeee

[luvbach1]

I didn't address the point of his execution being a lesson to others.

[billhilly]

Trade him or terminate him Ahnuld.

[doug from upland]

Any time from now to execution. He seems to be playing it close to the vest.

[Dad yer funny]

maybe I can have some Madison Avenue stores ringup Maria , entice her to NYC for a shopping spree , remove one distraction

[luckodeirish]

Are you as sick as I am of reading about this guy? Yesterday was Pearl Harbor day but of course that get a page 6 paragraph while this monster gets front page. Plus, I keep hearing about "the kids he has saved from gangs". OK, where is the data to back this up? Any real factual data? Oh yes and by the way here in Long Beach our great public schools encouraged the kids to write letters to Arnold asking to let "Tookie live". Sick.

[doug from upland]

Has he helped kids? Perhaps a couple. He has refused to give police any info to help solve gang crimes. The best lesson kids can learn is that, if you murder, you are going to give up your life. That's the lesson.

[Dad yer funny]

yup , we NEED names & numbers,... who and when did they encourage these kids to write letters ,... the peer pressure alone!! Can you imagine being a kid that might say "NO, I don't wanna write to stop this ,..."