Tookie Williams, California Politics and the Death Penalty

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In 1979, the shooting deaths of four people during armed robberies hardly made the papers. Not much attention was paid when Stanley "Tookie" Williams was sentenced to death two years later. But the former Los Angeles gang leader appeal for clemency from Governor Schwarzenegger has drawn influential supporters. Although the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals was not convinced to overturn his conviction, in a highly unusual comment it called Williams a "worthy candidate" for the Governor's mercy because of "good works and accomplishments" since his incarceration on death row. We look at the case of the man who is scheduled to die at San Quentin Prison on December 13, and the political impact of capital punishment in California. Making News: Governor Schwarzenegger Says He Got the MessageIn Sacramento today, Governor Schwarzenegger met with leaders of both parties in the Assembly and Senate. Afterward, he told reporters he will not apologize for calling this week's election. Amy Chance, political editor at the Sacramento Bee, says Schwarzenegger acknowledged that he should have listened to his wife. Reporter's Notebook: The History and Politics of Capital Punishment in CaliforniaWhen it comes to clemency in death penalty cases, there are no rules to guide any governor. In the 1960s, Governor "Pat" Brown was asked to commute the death sentence of Caryl Chessman, a convicted kidnapper who did not kill. Brown refused, against the advice of his son, Jerry, who later became Governor himself. UC Berkeley Law Professor Frank Zimring considers the history and politics of capital punishment in California.
In 1979, the shooting deaths of four people during armed robberies hardly made the papers. Not much attention was paid when Stanley "Tookie" Williams was sentenced to death two years later. But the former Los Angeles gang leader appeal for clemency from Governor Schwarzenegger has drawn influential supporters. Although the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals was not convinced to overturn his conviction, in a highly unusual comment it called Williams a "worthy candidate" for the Governor's mercy because of "good works and accomplishments" since his incarceration on death row. We look at the case of the man who is scheduled to die at San Quentin Prison on December 13, and the political impact of capital punishment in California.
  • Making News: Governor Schwarzenegger Says He Got the Message
    In Sacramento today, Governor Schwarzenegger met with leaders of both parties in the Assembly and Senate. Afterward, he told reporters he will not apologize for calling this week's election. Amy Chance, political editor at the Sacramento Bee, says Schwarzenegger acknowledged that he should have listened to his wife.
  • Reporter's Notebook: The History and Politics of Capital Punishment in California
    When it comes to clemency in death penalty cases, there are no rules to guide any governor. In the 1960s, Governor "Pat" Brown was asked to commute the death sentence of Caryl Chessman, a convicted kidnapper who did not kill. Brown refused, against the advice of his son, Jerry, who later became Governor himself. UC Berkeley Law Professor Frank Zimring considers the history and politics of capital punishment in California.

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney

Producer:

Frances Anderton