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.
That would be the answer. Justice delayed is justice denied!!
Think the murder victim's families see any of this money?
Singapore just hung a heroin smuggler from Australia.
Convicted in 2004, hung in 2005.
That is QUICK by anyone's standards.
Not to mention all the thousands of people living in neighborhoods filled with these gang members. These people were (and still are) terrorized by violent street thugs. How many good people in these poor communities were robbed, raped, beat up, killed by Tookies minions?
I hope he spends eternity in hell paying for his sins.
But another thing is why doesn't Farrell try changing the law. Man, they vote on EVERYTHING out here - just put an anti-death penalty proposition on the ballot - hell, they could get enough signatures in Berkeley and S.F. to qualify.
They won't do it - because they know what the outcome would be -- California voters would reaffirm that they want the option to put scumsucking bottomfeeders like Williams down like the dogs they are. And they have no argument once they know how the voters feel.
Yes he should be dead and I hope and pray that the Governor of California does not let them intimidate him into doing what they want..
Williams has been doing a LOT of work to keep people out of gangs, and even to organize a gang truce. He has probably saved more lives than he took. They want him saved based on the pretty much sure bet that he will continue his anti-gang work.
I want the punishment that due process has set for this guy. OTOH, it would suck to lose an effective anti-gang crusader. I would probably be calling for a commuted sentence if he would finally admit to his crimes, but he hasn't, so I leave him to the hole he dug for himself.
Dont worry Mike we got the right man and its only fair he get what he dished out.
In fact its 24 years late in coming. AMF Tookie.
you already got your token killer off - OJ
While I see your point, Larry Elder on Hannity & Colmes advised that the "truces" that Williams negotiated didn't hold up and it's back to normal with the gang animal population. He has not be useful in the least in minimalizing gang violence in this country. It's nice PR, but it isn't true.
My problem with the whole "Williams could help with gang violence" is that it's thanks to Williams that much of this gang violence is taking place to begin with.
3 of this pig's victims were people of color - everyone in the world is a person of color; two vicitims were Asian
Being named "Tookie" in itself should be a capital crime.
Three vicitims were Asian.
While I like Sean, he has some credibility problems with me.
My problem with the whole "Williams could help with gang violence" is that it's thanks to Williams that much of this gang violence is taking place to begin with.
Mine, too. I don't think he should ever see freedom, and should die in prison for what he's done. The only question is when. I trust Ahnold to make the right decision, especially since the political fallout for going either way is pretty big.
In 24 years, Tookie has not disavowed the gang he started, not saved one life and has given no good reason why he should be allowed to live.
He started the Crips, then came the Bloods and their war, which spread across the country. Yes, maybe he killed 4 people that night, but he is responsible for many more murders.
Tick tick tick tick tick the countdown begins, buh bye tookie, buh bye!
I would consider trading Tookie for O.J.
I'm with you on the Hannity credibility gap, dude (dudette?). But I love Larry Elder, especially since his bona fides come straight from South Central, Tookie's turf. Colmes said, and my eyes damned near popped out "well, only God can make a decision who lives and dies, how can a governor be allowed to?"
Hmm...Alan...Williams pretty much decided who lived and died, didn't he? They've already compared him to Moses - let's not dial it up.
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