See ya Tookie

[Butchers Bill]

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/12/12/williams.execution/index.html

The real tragedy is it took this long for justice to be served.

[rjs246]

Isn't the stated purpose of the penal system to rehabilitate criminals? I'm all for the death penalty, but if the real purpose of our legal system is to rehabilitate, isn't Tookie the prime example of how someone can turn themselves around? The answer is yes and the reality is that we only pay lip service to that idea.

He killed four people. Fine let him fry, but can we stop the ridiculous pretense that we are trying to help make criminals into productive members of society? It's obviously nonsense.

[Butchers Bill]

Isn't the stated purpose of the penal system to rehabilitate criminals? I'm all for the death penalty, but if the real purpose of our legal system is to rehabilitate, isn't Tookie the prime example of how someone can turn themselves around? The answer is yes and the reality is that we only pay lip service to that idea.

The rehab part is bunk...except for juvenile offenders.  Many of the criminals in our prisons today are not capable of anything but crime and violence.

As far as Tookie is concerned, I disagree that he has become rehabilitated as he has yet to apologize or atone for his crimes.  I do not deny a strong case can be made for Tookie's rehab, but I am not buying it.

[PhillyPhanInDC]

Isn't the stated purpose of the penal system to rehabilitate criminals? I'm all for the death penalty, but if the real purpose of our legal system is to rehabilitate, isn't Tookie the prime example of how someone can turn themselves around? The answer is yes and the reality is that we only pay lip service to that idea.

He killed four people. Fine let him fry, but can we stop the ridiculous pretense that we are trying to help make criminals into productive members of society? It's obviously nonsense.

Are you questioning the government, hippy? I hope they fry your ass, you pinko commie.

[Susquehanna Birder]

I think there are places for rehabilitation, but killers aren't part of the deal.

[phillymic2000]

This guy has not been a model prisoner either:

http://crime.about.com/od/deathrow/a/tookie15.htm

On June 30, 1981, just two months after being sentenced, Williams was involved in a violent fight with another inmate. Williams was observed kneeling over the other inmate and striking him in the head with his closed fists. When Williams was ordered to cease fighting, he ignored the order. Only after repeated orders to stop, did Williams stop his violence. (P. Exh. 6).

On January 26, 1982, Williams was ordered to lineup for his return to his cell. Williams refused the order and became hostile. The guard then explained the line-up procedure to Williams. Williams responded by saying "you'll get yours boy, I can do anything now because I know what the gunmen will do...one of these days I'll trick you boy." (P. Exh. 7).

On January 28, 1982, Williams had two separate instances where he threw chemical substances at guards. In one of these instances, Williams threw a chemical substance in the eyes and on the face of a guard. As a result of that assault, the guard suffered from chemical burns to these areas and had to be taken to the hospital where he received emergency care. (P. Exh. .

On January 29, 1982, Williams again attacked a guard by throwing a chemical substance on him. (P. Exh. 9).

On February 16, 1984, a guard saw Williams bending over another inmate and striking him with his closed fists. In an effort to stop the attack, the guard blew his whistle and drew his weapon. Williams, however, continued to fight. Only after a guard fired a warning shot, did Williams stop fighting. (P. Exh. 10).

On June 8, 1984, Williams was observed participating in inappropriate behavior with a female visitor. When the guard advised the female of the prison policies, Williams became verbally hostile and stated, "you are looking around too much and that's not your job. I have dusted many officers on the street, one more would not make any difference." (P. Exh. 11).

On July 4, 1986, Williams stepped between a guard and another inmate and began to beat up the inmate. The guard ordered Williams to stop but Williams continued with the assault. Eventually, after gun officers responded, Williams stopped the attack. (P. Exh. 12).

On October 10, 1988, Williams was involved in a fight that led to him being stabbed. Prison officials subsequently learned that this stabbing was done in retaliation for a September 22, 1988, stabbing of another inmate ordered by Crips leader Stanley Williams. (P. Exh. 13).

On October 19, 1988, Williams was placed in Administrative Segregation based on his association with the Crips street gang. (P. Exh. 13).

On December 24, 1991, Williams was involved in another fight with an inmate. Once again, despite being ordered to stop, Williams continued with the assault. Eventually, gun officers responded by firing a round near Williams. After the shot was fired, guards gained control over Williams. (P. Exh. 14).

On July 6, 1993, a large fight broke out in the shower area. Williams was one of the combatants. A guard ordered the inmates to stop, but the fight continued. After a warning shot was fired, the fighting stopped. Subsequently, a stabbing instrument ("shank") made of sharpened plastic was recovered from where the fight had occurred. (P. Exh. 15).

[MDS]

Have fun sipping tea in hell with Scott Peterson.

[hbionic]

I think its between Enchiladas, Lasagna or Pizza (hold the burrito jokes PG)....wait...maybe a burrito. 

[PhillyPhreak54]

When I worked on The Row in Texas we had to put in their last meal requests. Some of those guys would get a ton of grub while others would only have coffee. Some of the smartasses would put down "world peace" as their request.

TDCJ's website used to list their last meal requests but they no longer do it for some reason. But you can still read their last statements.

http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/executedoffenders.htm

[henchmanUK]

While I don't know enough about the Tookie situation to make comment on it, the death penalty is wrong. Purposely taking the life of another is murder no matter how evil they are.

[Feva]

He's gone.

[MadMarchHare]

Capital punishment isn't about justice, it's about revenge.  And I'm fine with that.  This jagoff killed four people, was convicted and sentenced to death.  That he "reformed" himself, and wrote children's books about staying out of gangs, hey, you know that's great.  Even though he probably did it to gain clemency, if it helps some kids, ends justify the means.

But it doesn't absolve him of his crimes, and I'm satisfied he's gone.

[henchmanUK]

Capital punishment isn't about justice, it's about revenge.  And I'm fine with that.

Fair enough, but when bible-bashing neo-cons like Dubya, who bang on about how Christian and "forgiving" (you would think) they are still support the death penalty, that's just fargin' hypocritical. My own view? Two wrongs don't make a right.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

When I worked on The Row in Texas we had to put in their last meal requests. Some of those guys would get a ton of grub while others would only have coffee. Some of the smartasses would put down "world peace" as their request.

TDCJ's website used to list their last meal requests but they no longer do it for some reason. But you can still read their last statements.

http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/executedoffenders.htm

Those are pretty interesting to read.  Just randomly read #287, and he was still claiming innocence.

[ice grillin you]

killing brown people makes everyone happy