Free Republic

Officer remembers Tookie as `cold-blooded killer' By Sandy Mazza Staff Writer Today, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger holds a clemency hearing for condemned murderer Stanley Tookie Williams. He will hear from prosecutors and those who believe Williams is a changed man. The officers who helped bring him in saw a different Williams. Below is their story. Guns drawn, a small team of Los Angeles County homicide investigators waited out the night inside a crowded house in Los Angeles, eager for their suspect to walk through the door. Exhausted but alert with adrenaline, Gene Hetzel, then a 39-year-old detective, watched for the doorknob...

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...