Stanley "Tookie" Williams
Williams in his younger years
Acording to "A Conversation with Death Row Prisoner Stanley Tookie Williams from his San Quentin Cell" by Amy Goodman, a reporter for Democracy Now, Stanley "Tookie" Williams helped start the Crips street gang on the streets of Los Angeles, California. He says that starting this gang was his biggest regret in his life; the founding of the gang has led him to write nine books advocating the end of gang related violence. "Tookie" has also been nominated for several Nobel Peace prizes. On December 13, 2005, "Tookie" is scheduled to be executed by the State of California. There was a movement to stop the execution based on the merit of his work to help end gang related violence. November 30, 2005 was deemed International Save Tookie Day. Snoop Dogg, a hip hop artist, and Jamie Foxx, an actor, read excerpts from his books to try and get his execution cancelled.
Following, is the life story of Williams. In the early 1970s at the age of 17, "Tookie" and his friend, Raymond Washington, founded the Crips street gang. The gang expanded across the country and even overseas. In 1979, "Tookie" was arrested for connection with four murders. In 1981, he was sentenced to four death sentences for the murder of a 7-Eleven clerk, named Albert Owens, and of robbing and killing a motel owner along with the owner's wife and daughter. Williams claims that he was innocent and says that he received an unfair trial because he was convicted by an all-white jury. In 1993, Williams agreed to record a message supporting a truce between the Crips and the Bloods, two rival street gangs. After 1993, Williams began to write children books and speaking with young people regarding the dangers of gang life (1).
Even though he made many attempts to reconcile his death sentence, Stanley "Tookie" Williams was executed on December 13, 2005.
Image above courtesy of Streetgangs.com
I feel that the interview below is biased towards getting William's execution revoked.
Following, is the life story of Williams. In the early 1970s at the age of 17, "Tookie" and his friend, Raymond Washington, founded the Crips street gang. The gang expanded across the country and even overseas. In 1979, "Tookie" was arrested for connection with four murders. In 1981, he was sentenced to four death sentences for the murder of a 7-Eleven clerk, named Albert Owens, and of robbing and killing a motel owner along with the owner's wife and daughter. Williams claims that he was innocent and says that he received an unfair trial because he was convicted by an all-white jury. In 1993, Williams agreed to record a message supporting a truce between the Crips and the Bloods, two rival street gangs. After 1993, Williams began to write children books and speaking with young people regarding the dangers of gang life (1).
Even though he made many attempts to reconcile his death sentence, Stanley "Tookie" Williams was executed on December 13, 2005.
Image above courtesy of Streetgangs.com
I feel that the interview below is biased towards getting William's execution revoked.