Stanley Tookie Williams was an early leader of the
‘Crips’, a notorious American street gang which had its roots in South Central Los Angeles. He was convicted of three murders in 1979. While on
Death Row in California, Williams became an anti-gang activist, he renounced
his gang affiliation and apologized for the Crips' founding, while maintaining
his innocence of the crimes for which he was convicted. He co-wrote children's
books and participated in efforts intended to prevent youths from joining gangs.
In late 2005, a campaign began to urge the Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, to grant clemency for Williams in consideration of his work as an
anti-gang activist and asserted "redemption." Thousands of people signed online
petitions calling for Schwarzenegger to commute the death sentence. Those who
campaigned against the execution included celebrities, politicians, and
Nobel laureates. In early November, 2005, Williams'
attorneys filed his formal petition for executive clemency, as well as a motion
to obtain new evidence. On December 12, 2005, Schwarzenegger denied clemency for Williams, and he
was executed via lethal injection on December 13, 2005.
Mr Stanley Williams has been a menace to society. Atotal disregard for the law and the well-being of the citizens of california causing multiple homicides and diluiting his community with drug trafficking and harmful pollutents. People living in fear of the defendant making small tasks such as going to the store a fearful reality. Mr. Willaims being of sane mind took three innnocent lives, once a life is taken it cannot be brought back! Even though Mr. Williams committed reformation while being incarcerated does not change the fact that acts against the people and humanity still need to be rectified. What about those slain, where they given fair and equal treatment? Did they ask to have their lives, "ripped," away? One phrase; punishable by law!
