Tookie Williams Deserved Death

As Tookie Williams was executed by lethal injection, supporters who shouted in unison "The state of California just killed an innocent man." How ridiculous for anyone who is intellectually honest to even suggest such a thing in this case.

There is no doubt that Stanley "Tookie" Williams killed those four people in 1979. The prosecution met the burden of proof and a jury of his peers, which included one black man, convicted him of four counts of aggravated first degree murder. The witnesses that testified in the case were credible, and none were proven to have lied, and none of them ever recanted their testimony. The prosecution knew where Tookie bought the shotgun that he used in the killings, and ballistics tests matched the weapon to the murders. Williams was guilty of his crimes and a just punisment was handed down.

What makes Williams more deserving of death is what he did while in prison. This man was not a model prisoner. He tried to escape, fought with guards, and did much while in prison to further illustrate his depravity. He may have written children's books to help deter inner-city kids from joining gangs. Yetthis gesture while having the appearance of nobility, does little clean the blood that is on his hands. Redemption does not come from such hollow acts, and ultimately the only one who can grant him forgiveness is no one on this planet. His crimes are just too egregious.

But make no mistakes, other than his writings, this man has done little to deserve clemency in this life. Just because some moron nominated Williams for the Nobel Peace Prize, does not make him a champion of peace. How many young African-Americans have chosen life in the Crips only to see their lives snuffed out in a drive-by shooting? How many innocent people have died at the hands of the Crips (the gang that Williams co-founded)? Did he ever confess to his crimes? NO! Did he ever help police in their fight against gang violence by turning on the gang that he co-founded? NO! Has he ever shown remorse for any of the things that he did in his life? NO! This is a man who spread evil, was convicted of murder, and then went to prison to await his fate that was carried out earlier this morning.

His execution was the final act of justice on this earth in this case. He is now with his maker, and hopefully the first people that he saw on the other side were those people that he robbed of life and liberty. If he is truly penitent then may God grant him forgiveness. He deserves none in this life.