This young man did not commit murder for which he will have to take the consequences. Tookie may have turned his life around (although perhaps not) and if he did, good for him. That does not let him out of the consequences of his sin.
This young man had a child out of wedlock. He was dealing with the consequences in a way that he hoped would break the cycle. He did not ask to be let off of the consequences of his mistake like many many others who abandon their children to their girlfriends or worse, the state. He was, apparently, killed in that process. If more information comes out that he was not what he appeared to be, then fine. Until then, I refuse to condemn this man.
To say appreciation for what this young man was trying to accomplish is the same as jumping on the Tookie Bandwagon is disingenuous at best. I do not want to back you into a corner on this because I know it is hard to back down. But I can not in good conscience let that comparison stand.
One more thing: To do what this man was trying to do, is quintessentially American. To rise above one's circumstances, to do the best with what you have, to take the second chances that life offers you. That, in my mind, is part of what it means to be conservative. If you believe conservative is never making a mistake, never appreciating those who have less and what they must overcome, never accepting anything but perfection, well...then quite honestly I don't qualify.
Please know my comparison to Tookie was in jest. I agree with most of what you said.