Who sealed "Stanley "Tookie" Williams' Fate?

The day that Arnold Schwarzenegger denied clemency for a convicted murderer a local radio station declared that "Governor Schwarzenegger has sealed Stanely's fate". It's the ultimate example of someone not being responsible for their actions. Williams sealed his own fate when he chose to start a gang that is estimated to have killed over 10,000 people, a gang that is blamed for introducing "crack" into the United States -- a gang that requires you to either commit a crime in front of witness or, as a girl, to just have sex with several of the older members in order to join.

The governor stated as reasons for denying clemency not only that Williams never actually accepted responsiblity for the murders that he's convicted of committing, but he also mentioned the following in his 6-page statement: (taken from an article entitled "Schwarzenegger Terminates Stanely Tookie Williams")

" While in prison, Williams became a children’s author but his dedications cast further doubt on redemption. About the book ‘Life In Prison’ Schwarzenegger writes “This book was published in 1998, several years after Williams’ claimed redemptive experience. Specifically, the book is dedicated to “Nelson Mandela, Angela Davis, Malcolm X, Assata Shakur, Geronimo Ji Jaga Pratt, Ramona Africa, John Africa, Leonard Peltier, Dhoruba Al-Mujahid, George Jackson, Mumia Abu-Jamal, and the countless other men, women, and youths who have to endure the hellish oppression of living behind bars.” The mix of individuals on this list is curious. Most have violent pasts and some have beenconvicted of committing heinous murders, including the killing of law enforcement.” Article

The NAACP stated that if he was put to death, their "secret weapon" against gang violence was being taken away from them. Where to begin.... um, a convicted murderer is all they have to work with in their fight against gang violence? Doesn't it make more sense that he serves as a better example having been executed for his crimes, than if he convinced everyone to let him live. The death penalty is to serve as a deterrant -- let this show people in gangs that there are consequences to your actions, beyond the lives that have been ruined.

Stanley Williams may have changed later in life, the truth may never be known, but if he was the only one that could make a difference in the fight against gang violence or if he is the only one that we can find to praise for speaking out against gangs then I think that we must start fresh and try harder this time.