Schwarzenegger Denies Clemency for Williams
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WENN.com
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Monday, December 12, 2005
HOLLYWOOD - Former gang leader Stanley 'Tookie' Williams is set to be put to death, after California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger decided against granting him clemency.
Schwarzenegger became Williams' last hope, after California's Supreme Court refused to halt his execution, which is scheduled to take place at 12:01 am tomorrow at San Quentin State Prison.
The actor-turned-politician says, "Clemency cases are always difficult and this one is no exception. After studying the evidence, searching the history, listening to the arguments and wrestling with the profound consequences, I could find no justification for granting clemency.
"The facts do not justify overturning the jury's verdict or the decisions of the courts in this case."
Jamie Foxx, who portrayed the controversial figure in a TV movie, and Snoop Dogg were among supporters who attempted to halt Williams' execution.
And on Nov. 30, the pair teamed up to stage a special rally in Los Angeles in a bid to highlight his plight. They've since recorded a track called “Real Soon.”
Williams, 51, who founded the notorious Crips gang, is convicted of murdering four people in Los Angeles in 1979.
But supporters--also including Bianca Jagger--believe Williams' subsequent Nobel Peace Prize nominations for his work to prevent young people from forming gangs should exonerate him of previous offenses.
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