I have thought long and hard about this one...but I have to say I agree with letting the execution go forward.This may surprise many of my fellow liberals. However, I've never been opposed to capital punishment, so long as it's done correctly (meaning guilt is proven, chances for appeals given, all rights upheld, etc.)
In Williams' case, I believe it has been done correctly. He's had many appeals, and even the Governor of California and the United States Supreme Court have weighed in. I'm
In California, as in many places in our nation, that rates execution.
I acknowelge that he's done much good in his time on death row. He's gone above and beyond the call to keep kids out of gangs, to broker a peace between the Crips and the Bloods, to stop gang violence, and to be an example of how to rise above the bad upbringing, the bad situations, and even the environment of prison.
However, consider this...he co-founded a gang that has been responsible for uncountable acts of violence, untold killings, the corruption of hundreds, if not thousands, of youths, and that has not only spread across the nation but to other nations (there are Crips "copycat" gangs in South Africa). Even in the military we have gang problems on some of our larger ships and units.
One could argue that the work he's done since being in prison would not, in large measure, have even been necessary if he'd not done what he did to get into prison in the first place.
I discussed this with a very conservative co-worker of mine today, and was surprised when he favored clemency. I will say that he raised a valid point or two...one, the very real threat of massive gang violence when Williams is executed. Another, in his words, "if ever there was a case to be made for rehabilitation and reform, he's it."
That would have been the one thing to change my mind.
When it's all said and done, though, he was convicted of murder by a jury and with all the due process we require. Not even the United States Supreme Court found reason to stay his execution...that says to me that the legal process has been followed correctly. He is guilty. And when he was convicted, as is the case now, the penalty for his crime is execution. This sentance was also properly handed down.
All that he has done since does not change the fact that he was found guilty of murder and sentanced to death. In fact, short of new evidence or findings on appeal that due process was not followed, nothing can change the finding of guilt or the sentance. There is no new evidence, and the legal process was followed to exhaustion.
Do I find it sad, in a way? Yes...here's a man who has done an immense amount of good. I'm glad he was able to turn himself around.
But those who argue with his sentance would say that the good he's done somehow erases his crimes. Tell it to the four families, who can never have back their beloved dead.
When you get right down to it, to me it's simple. Was he found guilty? Yes. Was the sentance arrived at in the proper manner? Yes. Was every means to appeal made available to him? Yes. Did the appeals process find any mistakes or grounds to overturn the verdict/sentance? No.
What happens between the conviction/sentancing and the carrying out of the sentance is irrelevant. It may well make the story that much more tragic, but the simple fact is he is guilty. He knew the implications of his crime when he committed it (if he didn't, he'd have been decleared incompetent or insane, and I wouldn't be writing this).
It's too bad that someone who can be shown to be a good person will be put to death, but he knew the implications of his crimes when he committed them. And he CHOSE to committ murder anyway. He made a conscious choice, knowing the consequences.
They say justice is blind. She's also a hard, sometimes cold, mistress. Not unmerciful...there was a chance for mercy (the Governor, for one). But in the end, for reasons I'd bet have something to do with the legacy of gang violence (which is as much Williams' legacy as that of his good works since), the sentance was upheld.
And as much as it may sadden me, Williams' execution will be justice served. Cruel? No. Hard? Yes. But fair.
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