Monday, November 21, 2005
The Question of Tookie
Stanley "Tookie" Williams faces execution in California on December 13. Many lefties are making a plea to Governor Schwarzenegger to grant him clemency and commute his sentence to life in prison. The common thread in these pleas, including Earl Ofari Hutchinson's piece in Sunday's Los Angeles Daily News, is that Williams is a reformed man. What is also common about these pleas is a complete lack of focus on the murders for which he was convicted. Hutchinson, and others, think that the question that should be asked now is "is Williams worth more to society alive than dead?" Hutchinson is wrong.
The question that needs to be asked is "Does Stanley Williams pose a threat to society?" As the co-founder of the violent Crips gang, society should be concerned as to whether or not Williams intends or has tried to exert influence on the Crips that would harm society. All the evidence is that he has not, nor that he will in the future. His life should be spared, but not for the reasons typically given.
The question that needs to be asked is "Does Stanley Williams pose a threat to society?" As the co-founder of the violent Crips gang, society should be concerned as to whether or not Williams intends or has tried to exert influence on the Crips that would harm society. All the evidence is that he has not, nor that he will in the future. His life should be spared, but not for the reasons typically given.
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Admittedly, I have not followed this case with any awareness and neither has anyone who is 24 years old or younger. Apparently, this person has never admitted guilt over the 4 murders for which the evidence is strong. Nor has he shown any contrition for the acts he committed (I don't have to say allegedly, since he was found guilty, do I?) Nor has he renounced the gang or worked with the police to eliminate gangs. Instead, he has appealed to kids through some children books not to join gangs. The question, "Does Stanley Williams pose a threat to society?" is an interesting one since he was protected by the state for 24 years---enough time for anyone to reform. Should we wait 24 years before we pronounce sentence on a convicted murderer. If so, the death sentence should be abolished, since it wouldn't apply to anyone or any case. As a christian, I believe there is good in everyone, but I also believe in consequences to actions. The carrying out of a punishment should not take 24 years to execute. Maybe we will learn something from this---that any appeal longer than 5 years is a waste!
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