Stanley Williams, and the Death Penalty

[Dan Rutter]

Stanley "Tookie" Williams is one of the two founding Crip members back in 1971. He was put onto death row after being convicted in four murders. Since his convictions he has transformed himself into someone who has been nominated for Noble Peace Prizes. A lot of those nominations were likely just to get attention to the movement of trying to stop his execution.

He has been a strong figure in trying to reduce gang violence, and has written many children's books to try and teach children the negativities of gang life.

He is set to be executed sometime in December.

To those for the death penalty, is putting this man to death so he receives his punishment, and is used as an example for a deterrent, more beneficial then continuing to allow him to live in prison and work towards ending gang violence.

I realize if you dont execute him then everyone on death row, who does not want to be executed, will try to act as a changed person to stop their own execution. So, I guess that would be a valid reason to still execute him. But, I guess if anyone has any thoughts on the issue, because it will probably get some attention in the coming month or two. I guess Snoop Dogg is having a rally this weekend or something in Cal.