Stanley Tookie Williams, Crips Gang Co-Founder, Is Executed - New York Times

Stanley Tookie Williams, Crips Gang Co-Founder, Is Executed - New York Times

Gov. Schwarzenegger made the right, albeit tough, decision. After 24 years of legal proceedings, the basis for Arnold's decison came down to this excerpt from the Governor's statement:

"The basis of Williams' clemency request is not innocence. Rather, the basis of the request is the "personal redemption Stanley Williams has experienced and the positive impact of the message he sends." But Williams' claim of innocence remains a key factor to evaluating his claim of personal redemption. It is impossible to separate Williams' claim of innocence from his claim of redemption."

In other words, if he denies his crimes against all the facts in evidence, is he truly redeemed? Where is repentance for his crime?

If society's laws contain the death penalty and it was levied for a crime committed by a person, then it must be enforced if it has any relevance. Many would argue that the death penalty is not appropriate in a civilized society, frequently because some innocent people are executed. These are the imperfections of humanity. If one argues against the death penalty in an evil world, what should be the consequences to the perpetrator of the most heinous crimes? Is life imprisonment a worse or lesser punishment than death?

Of course, this drama would be incomplete without that publicity hound, Jesse Jackson, showing up as he does at any national event involving black people that he thinks will will gain him favor. I wonder what Jackson's view of right and wrong is. Is it Biblical or is it political?

"The Rev. Jesse Jackson, who joined several hundred protestors at San Quentin and visited Mr. Williams twice Monday, said he had been the first person to tell Mr. Williams about the governor's decision, which most people had agreed was to be the final word on his fate, despite the last minute legal appeals."