December 8, 2005

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

Stanley ‘Tookie’ Williams is scheduled to be executed Dec. 13. Although he is convicted of killing four people, he has also been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to steer youth away from gangs (he is a
co-founder of the Crips Gang). Do you think Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger should grant him a stay of execution? (Asked at Almaden Via Valiente Plaza)


“He should have been executed when his sentence was first handed down. It’s wrong for the execution to be delayed for so long. There shouldn’t be any waiting around, the whole appeal process takes way too long and then 10 years later they let him go. No, that shouldn’t happen.”

Jeff Little, 50
Lupine
Fixes computers


“I don’t think the death penalty does any good. I don’t think that people think about it when they are committing a crime. Lots of people have been set free that were sitting on death row and were later proven not guilty. So I don’t believe in it anymore. I don’t think we should execute him, but we shouldn’t let him out of prison either.”

Sharon Kerr, 57
Almaden
Homemaker


“That’s a complex question. I heard about it in the news, but I’m not in any position to say whether he should be executed or not. At one time, I was very much in favor of the death penalty because when they would let people off, they would later parole them. Since then, laws have been made that keep such prisoners for life. I think Williams should have to stay in prison for life.”

Cliff Reydu, 61
Almaden / Retired


“It’s one of those things. It’s a unique case, but he should have to pay for his crime. He’s never expressed any regret for the four murders, but he has helped kids. If the governor spares his life, then he should be kept in jail for the rest of his life, but must continue to write books to help children.”

Frank Walker, 35
Dublin
Sells wine and spirits


“I feel he should be executed. You hear about all the things he’s accomplished, like being nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, but my brother was killed a year ago. There are consequences for his [Williams] crime. The bottom line is that he took a life, four lives, and he may be rehabilitated, but what about the families of the people he killed. If all the friends and families of the people he killed have forgiven him, then let him live out his life in prison. If not, he should be executed.”

Denise McCalla Creary, 51
Almaden
Retired Naval officer


“I’m kind of torn both ways with the situation. It seems like sometimes people are on death row forever and nothing seems to happen. There’s definitely two sides, but if people are truly guilty and been sentenced then they should be put to death.”

Julie Normandin, 43
Almaden
Homemaker


“It’s really a hard decision, because look what he’s become today. I don’t want to see anyone die. I think they should just keep him in jail for the rest of his life.”

Mary Dingley, 43
Almaden
Homemaker


“I don’t believe in the death penalty. He has reformed and he’s done some good. I still feel that he can do good from prison, but he should be kept in prison for the rest of his life because he killed four people.”

Virginia Cancilla, 57
Almaden
Retired from San Jose Unified School District