Arnold Schwarzenegger,  California,  Criminals,  Election 2006,  Law,  Politics

Stanley “Tookie” Williams Watch: California Supreme Court Refuses to Halt Execution

Members of Black Riders, a black militant group, salute during a news conference to support clemency for convicted murderer Stanley Tookie Williams Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2005 in downtown Los Angeles. As many as 35 demonstrators representing clergy, black youth leaders and death penalty opponents marched from City Hall to the Governor’s office.

The ASSociated Press has Justices Refuse Clemency for Crips Founder

The California Supreme Court refused Wednesday to halt the scheduled execution of convicted killer Stanley Tookie Williams, the Crips gang founder who became an anti-gang activist while in prison and whose supporters claim has redeemed himself. In a last-ditch legal move, defense attorneys petitioned the high court earlier this month, alleging shoddy forensic testing and other errors may have wrongly sent Williams to San Quentin State Prison, where he is scheduled die by injection Dec. 13.

Lawyers for Williams, author of a series of anti-gang books for children, wanted to re-exam ballistics evidence that showed his shotgun was used to kill three people during a 1979 motel robbery.

The defense claimed the forensic evidence was “junk science,” but prosecutors said that allegation was “based upon innuendo, supposition and the patent bias of (Williams’) purported expert.”

“The extraordinary relief Williams sought is reserved for those cases which have legal merit,” said Nathan Barankin, spokesman for Attorney General Bill Lockyer.

The high court voted 4-2 without comment to deny the inmate’s petition, with Chief Justice Ronald George voting to reopen the case.

The Case Summary is here.

The California Supreme Court, the federal trial and appellate courts, and the U.S. Supreme Court have already ruled against him in earlier appeals, which has set the stage for the execution on December 13th.

Only clemency which would commute his sentence to life in prison without parole (granted by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger) remains as a viable remedy to Tookie’s execution.

The clemency hearing is scheduled for December 8th.

“What I want to do is make sure we make the right decisions, because we’re dealing here with a person’s life,” Schwarzenegger said Wednesday.

What about the four murdered victims, Governor?

Williams has had his run of 24 years of legal appeals and NOT ONE has been successful in overturning his death sentence.

The Governor would be wise to hold the clemency hearing, listen to the arguments, uphold the decisions of the trial jury and the appellate courts and ENFORCE THE LAW.

But, only if he wishes to have any further political future……..

Stay Tuned…….

Previously:

Stanley “Tookie” Williams Watch: NO REMORSE

Stanley “Tookie” Williams Watch: Tookie’s “Human Angel”

Stanley “Tookie” Williams Watch: Isn’t it The Truth By Cobb

Stanley “Tookie” Williams Watch: Schwarzenegger to Hold Private Clemency Hearing


Stanley “Tookie” Williams Watch: California Governor Schwarzenegger MULLS Clemency

Stanley “Tookie” Williams Watch: FLAP Over “Tookie Must Die”

Stanley “Tookie” Williams Watch: Jesse Jackson, Bianca Jagger Plead for LIFE

Stanley “Tookie” Williams Watch: SNOOP DOGG BEGS SCHWARZENEGGER FOR CLEMENCY

Stanley “Tookie” Williams Watch: California’s Life-and-Death Politics

Stanley “Tookie” Williams Watch: Death Warrant Signed

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