Tookie Propaganda...

CNN Article

Williams was sentenced to death in 1981 in the killing of Owens, a 26-year-old Los Angeles convenience store clerk. The clerk was shot twice in the back with a 12-gauge shotgun while face-down on the floor.

Less than two weeks after Owens' February 1979 slaying, jurors concluded, Williams killed an immigrant Chinese couple and their 41-year-old daughter while stealing less than $100 in cash from their motel. Robert Martin, one of the prosecutors who sent Williams to prison, said the courts "have scrutinized this from every angle and they've found that the evidence is rock solid."

Williams, 51, acknowledged a violent past but maintained he was innocent of the slayings. He became an anti-gang crusader while on death row.

What brought on the change in Tookie's heart? Was it that he finally realized that he had done many wrongs or the fear of death and the consequences of his actions? We can debate the usefulness of Capital Punishment until the cows come home, but that is not the debate here. Did Tookie Williams deserve lethal injection? He had "reformed" since his imprisonment. My personal beliefs are that he died for a just cause. He spent the last few years of his life trying to show kids that gang life ends up exactly where he is. Would his message have been as effective if he were to tell kids, I was convicted of killing four people and I am going to spend life in prison?

In regards to his innocence, didn't Charles Manson also claim innocence in regards to murder charges because he didn't actually kill anyone himself? The death sentence was later automatically commuted to life in prison after the California Supreme Court's People v. Anderson decision resulted in the invalidation of all death sentences imposed in California prior to 1972. Being the founding father of the Crips Tookie most likely ordered some people killed.

His "gang" activity on the inside has been well documented, and it is purported that he had involvement with gang activity up until 2000. Williams was involved in a long series of fights that can be tracked up to 1993. I guess once he got closer to the end of his sentence he realized the err in his ways.

A question is posed by and article in The Christian Science Monitor. "Aside from the morality argument against the death penalty, Williams embodies a different, more pragmatic contention. If his life now accomplishes a social good, supporters argue, why end it?"

Sincerity becomes the problem in this case. He was proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court system and all of his appeals were denied. In this country thats as close to the truth as we'll ever get. I take that at face value and as a result must question his actions. Did he change because he didn't want to die? Anyone can do that. I believe in forgiveness for past transgressions, but you still have to pay for what you do. If I go out and steal your car and then when I get caught I say "I'm really sorry man," is that enough to let me off? I think not.

I'll not deny the good that Tookie has done for many youths, and as a result I think he may have been an impactful person. But do I think he should have been let off, no. Do the crime...do the time. What better example for the youth of today than that?

LA Times Article

After Williams was pronounced dead, Becnel and two other supporters of Williams turned toward the media in the witness room and yelled in unison, "The state of California just killed an innocent man!"

Lora Owens, murder victim Albert Owens’ stepmother, appeared shaken, and was embraced by another woman.

Outside the gates of San Quentin as midnight approached, speakers urged calm. There was a moment of tension when a Williams’ friend, Fred Jackson, told the crowd, "It’s all over."

Angry shouts broke out. A woman sobbed on someone’s shoulder, and a man burned an American flag. As Jackson continued to urge calm, the crowd dispersed.

Speaking outside the gates of San Quentin after the execution, Becnel, who is taking possession of Williams’ body, called Schwarzenegger a "cold-blooded murderer" and vowed to work for his defeat in the next election.

Despite persistent pleas for mercy from around the globe, the governor earlier in the day had said Williams was unworthy of clemency because he had not admitted his brutal shotgun murders of four people during two robberies 26 years ago.

After the U.S. Supreme Court denied a request for a last-minute stay Monday evening, the co-founder of the infamous Crips street gang — who insisted he was innocent of the murders — became the 12th man executed by the state of California since voters reinstated capital punishment in 1978.

First off, these are the same tree hugging hippies that place all of their trust in the U.S. Supreme Court to decide that creationism should not be taught, abortion should be legal, and look to this court o uphold their rights. Once the court decides against something they like, then there is an injustice being performed. These people are good enough to decide some things, but when it comes to condemning a convicted brutal murderer, we should listen to you? No dice.

Mr Farrakhan compared Williams' trial and execution to those of Jesus. Can we sensationalize this anymore? Jesus? Don't you feel your reaching a bit Mr. Farrakhan?

Guardian Unlimited

Several dozen gang members watched the service in the car park. One who identified himself as "Killowatt the Third" said of Williams: "That's my role model, man. That's the CEO of the Crips."

Yeah, just like Jesus. Cause Jesus used to walk around and brutally murder people. He set up a gang that would be the bane of the existence of humankind. Just like Jesus.

Propaganda, thats all I see surrounding this case. Miles and miles of propaganda.  ¶ Wednesday, December 21, 2005