Anti-death penalty protests grow as [Tookie] Williams' execution nears

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 12/12/05 | Paul Chavez

[TFFKAMM]

Anti-death penalty protests swelled Monday after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger denied clemency for Stanley Tookie Williams, the Crips co-founder convicted of four murders.

Only a dozen protesters rallied outside Northern California's San Quentin State Prison shortly after Schwarzenegger's afternoon decision was announced, but the crowd grew to more than 1,000 late into the night.

In contrast, the streets of South Los Angeles, where Williams' Crips gang and their deadly rivals, the Bloods, came to prominence in the 1980s, were quiet.

Williams was scheduled to be executed at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday.

Rallies and vigils were held throughout the state in the hours leading up to Williams' execution at sites ranging from West Los Angeles Federal Building to a book store in Santa Barbara and Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside.

Among San Quentin protesters was nurse Deborah Moore, 47, who said she drove three hours from her home in Mendocino to make a statement against the death penalty.

"I'm not here to singularly represent Tookie Williams, but to say for myself there is no business in us making that judgment," she said...

[Gordongekko909]

"I'm not here to singularly represent Tookie Williams, but to say for myself there is no business in us making that judgment"...

I agree. SHUT UP.

[decal]

"Among San Quentin protesters was nurse Deborah Moore, 47, who said she drove three hours from her home in Mendocino to make a statement against the death penalty."

So she won't be back home before 0400, and probably much later.

Hope nobody I know has HER for a patient tomorrow.

[Maximus_Ridiculousness]

Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet? Is he dead yet?

[Prime Choice]

Funny...all these wailing Leftists decrying the death sentence of a guilty murderer. But try as I might, I don't seem to recall any of these people protesting the death sentence imposed on an innocent disabled woman recently...

Hypocrites.

[Gordongekko909]

Hey, I only did that twice.

*checks time*

Twenty minutes.

[TCats]

Is there any real time coverage of the event? I'm getting reruns of earlier shows on Fox, CNN et al.

[Prime Choice]

[Armigerous]

....stick in the needle;take out the trash.....

[California Patriot]

As gratifying as anything is the fact that these anti-death penalty fools are being humiliated and demoralized by this execution. Being anti-death penalty doesn't make you a fool, but demonstrating about it, especially for Tookie Williams, does.

[Westlander]

Will this be 0300hrs. EST? I want to know so i can celebrate.

[pulaskibush]

It's time for Stan to pay!

I don't want to use his ebonics name Tookie.

[Maximus_Ridiculousness]

Twenty minutes.

My husband and I are waiting in anticipation. Kinda feels like New Years Eve. Instead of yelling Happy New Year at midnight tonight, we'll be yelling HOORAY!

[California Patriot]

Quiet satisfaction in the knowledge that a measure of justice was done -- yes. Celebration -- no.

[Maximus_Ridiculousness]

justice was done -- yes. Celebration -- no

Justice to be done - yes. Celebration - yes. For us, anyway.

[txroadkill]

My God! who are all those people??? It's a school night for crying out loud!! The guy is a freaking murderer and started one of the most violent gangs in this country and these people are doing what??? Saying what he did is OK... well hell, let's forgive Osama while were at it.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Albert Owens Killed

When Darryl and Sims entered the 7-Eleven, Owens put the broom and dust pan down and followed them into the store. Williams and Coward followed Owens into the store. (TT 2146-2152). As Darryl and Sims walked to the counter area to take money from the register, Williams walked behind Owens and told him "shut up and keep walking." (TT 2154). While pointing a shotgun at Owens' back, Williams directed him to a back storage room. (TT 2154).

Once inside the storage room, Williams, at gunpoint, ordered Owens to "lay down, mother f*****." Williams then chambered a round into the shotgun. Williams then fired the round into the security monitor. Williams then chambered a second round and fired the round into Owens' back as he lay face down on the floor of the storage room. Williams then fired again into Owens' back. (TT 2162).

Near Contact Wound

Both of the shotgun wounds were fatal. (TT 2086). The pathologist who conducted the autopsy on Owens testified that the end of the barrel was "very close" to Owens' body when he was shot. One of the two wounds was described as ". . . a near contact wound." (TT 2078).

After Williams murdered Owens, he, Darryl, Coward and Sims fled in the two cars and returned home to Los Angeles. The robbery netted them approximately $120.00. (TT 2280).

'Killing All White People'

Once back in Los Angeles, Williams asked if anyone wanted to get something to eat. When Sims asked Williams why he shot Owens, Williams said he "didn't want to leave any witnesses." Williams also said he killed Owens "because he was white and he was killing all white people." (TT 2189, 2193).

Later that same day, Williams bragged to his brother Wayne about killing Owens. Williams said, "you should have heard the way he sounded when I shot him." Williams then made gurgling or growling noises and laughed hysterically about Owens' death. (TT 2195-2197).