Tookie Williams denied clemency

scaeagles · 12-12-2005, 02:22 PM

I heard on the news that he was denied clemency by Arnold a short time ago.

I know what he was accused and convicted of. I am a supporter of the death penalty. I understand that there has been a certain amount of rehabilitation, depending on the source. I have heard he has been a problem inmate and the opposite. I have heard he preaches against gang violence, but has refused to assist the police in solving any unsolved gang related crimes.

My post is not to debate the death penalty, though that is certainly fair game, but I was listening to an interview with someone who is to witness the execution tonight.

I don't know if I could. I wonder if that makes me a hypocrite to be a supporter of the death penalty, but unwilling to witness it.

I suppose no one would really want to witness something like that, and even if I was related to a victim I wouldn't want to watch it, though I might feel the need to do so. Excusing relatives of the victim, I suppose you would have mental issues if you wanted to witness it (and perhaps even so if you are a relative, but differing mental issues for sure).

Could you (anyone who reads this) see yourself witnessing an execution under any circumstances?

CoasterMatt · 12-12-2005, 02:37 PM

I've seen deaths in a couple of accidental circumstances, but I think it would be very difficult to watch something so calculated.

Unless they started doing sentences like tossing people into walls with a trebuchet; I'd probably watch that on Pay Per View

Ponine · 12-12-2005, 02:44 PM

I cannot fathom why I would want to witness an execution. Even if I was a family member of the victim.
It seems... morbid? Rude? Not something I am supposed to witness?

I understand the death penalty, but I fear that watching the death, I would feel remorse that I had something to do with the death.
Maybe I did by helping to get the person convicted, but I still dont think I could do that.

I can barely watch people be ill.

Gemini Cricket · 12-12-2005, 03:05 PM

I think about this whenever I hear about families of murder victims wanting to watch the convicted die. I think if it was someone I loved dearly I'd feel like I'd want to watch. But, this is a big 'but', I don't think it would ease my pain at all. In fact, I think it might make it worse. So ultimately, I wouldn't ever do it.

wendybeth · 12-12-2005, 03:17 PM

I don't really know if I'd watch- I suppose it would just depend on the circumstances. I'm conflicted on the whole Tookie thing; he apparently has turned things around, but the simple fact remains that he was convicted of some pretty heinous crimes and was instrumental in developing a gang that has caused immeasurable pain and suffering over the years. At the very least he's had plenty of time to get right with his maker and/or himself, but his victims never had that chance. He has lived a long time, while they have been dead a long time. If I were a member of one of his victim's families, I suppose I would want to be there. I doubt any closure occurs, but it's better than nothing.

tracilicious · 12-12-2005, 04:37 PM

I hope all our LA friends stay safe in case of riots. I don't know how I feel about the death penalty really, but I do think it is important to note that he did do a lot of anti-gang work for the past 13 years. Hopefully his followers will take note of that when considering the repercussive actions they have threatened.

€uroMeinke · 12-12-2005, 04:47 PM

Hmmm a coworker of mine just told me I should get home early in case of rioting. Then I reminded her that my train goes through the hoods of Watts and Compton. Might make for an interesting ride home

I was in New Orleans during the Rodney King riots, flew back when most of the burning was under control.

AS to the OP, while I am against the death penelty, I believe I could probably witness a modern day leathal injection execution. It would be odd, it wouldn't be something I would "want" to do, and I might just throw up afterwards, but I could probably do it clocaked in the notion that it was some sort of civic duty like sitting in a Jury as a disinterested third party.

Not Afraid · 12-12-2005, 04:58 PM

GREAT! What time is the execution scheduled for?

€uroMeinke · 12-12-2005, 05:03 PM

12:01 AM Tuesday (I guess that means tonight) - I should be home by then

Alex · 12-12-2005, 05:15 PM

I support the death penalty (in principle, not in practice), so if I thought an execution were justified I don't think I'd have a problem witnessing it.

I've seen various killings (though not in person) and the simple seeing of it doesn't bother me (though the act may).

If I thought an execution were justified I also think I could be the executioner without too much difficulty.

12-12-2005, 02:22 PM	#1
scaeagles I LIKE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,819	Tookie Williams denied clemency I heard on the news that he was denied clemency by Arnold a short time ago. I know what he was accused and convicted of. I am a supporter of the death penalty. I understand that there has been a certain amount of rehabilitation, depending on the source. I have heard he has been a problem inmate and the opposite. I have heard he preaches against gang violence, but has refused to assist the police in solving any unsolved gang related crimes. My post is not to debate the death penalty, though that is certainly fair game, but I was listening to an interview with someone who is to witness the execution tonight. I don't know if I could. I wonder if that makes me a hypocrite to be a supporter of the death penalty, but unwilling to witness it. I suppose no one would really want to witness something like that, and even if I was related to a victim I wouldn't want to watch it, though I might feel the need to do so. Excusing relatives of the victim, I suppose you would have mental issues if you wanted to witness it (and perhaps even so if you are a relative, but differing mental issues for sure). Could you (anyone who reads this) see yourself witnessing an execution under any circumstances?
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12-12-2005, 02:37 PM	#2
CoasterMatt BRAAAAAAAINS! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: One Step Beyond... Posts: 8,802	I've seen deaths in a couple of accidental circumstances, but I think it would be very difficult to watch something so calculated. Unless they started doing sentences like tossing people into walls with a trebuchet; I'd probably watch that on Pay Per View __________________ Do you like my photography? Visit photosbymatt.tumblr.com to purchase prints!
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12-12-2005, 02:44 PM	#3
Ponine Virgin Ears Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,075	I cannot fathom why I would want to witness an execution. Even if I was a family member of the victim. It seems... morbid? Rude? Not something I am supposed to witness? I understand the death penalty, but I fear that watching the death, I would feel remorse that I had something to do with the death. Maybe I did by helping to get the person convicted, but I still dont think I could do that. I can barely watch people be ill. __________________ There's something strange, There's something wrong. I see a change - It's like when love dies.
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12-12-2005, 03:05 PM	#4
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	I think about this whenever I hear about families of murder victims wanting to watch the convicted die. I think if it was someone I loved dearly I'd feel like I'd want to watch. But, this is a big 'but', I don't think it would ease my pain at all. In fact, I think it might make it worse. So ultimately, I wouldn't ever do it.
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12-12-2005, 03:17 PM	#5
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	I don't really know if I'd watch- I suppose it would just depend on the circumstances. I'm conflicted on the whole Tookie thing; he apparently has turned things around, but the simple fact remains that he was convicted of some pretty heinous crimes and was instrumental in developing a gang that has caused immeasurable pain and suffering over the years. At the very least he's had plenty of time to get right with his maker and/or himself, but his victims never had that chance. He has lived a long time, while they have been dead a long time. If I were a member of one of his victim's families, I suppose I would want to be there. I doubt any closure occurs, but it's better than nothing. __________________
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12-12-2005, 04:37 PM	#6
tracilicious avatar transition Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in-between Posts: 2,487	I hope all our LA friends stay safe in case of riots. I don't know how I feel about the death penalty really, but I do think it is important to note that he did do a lot of anti-gang work for the past 13 years. Hopefully his followers will take note of that when considering the repercussive actions they have threatened. __________________ And now Harry, let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure! - Albus Dumbledore
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12-12-2005, 04:47 PM	#7
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,671	Hmmm a coworker of mine just told me I should get home early in case of rioting. Then I reminded her that my train goes through the hoods of Watts and Compton. Might make for an interesting ride home I was in New Orleans during the Rodney King riots, flew back when most of the burning was under control. AS to the OP, while I am against the death penelty, I believe I could probably witness a modern day leathal injection execution. It would be odd, it wouldn't be something I would "want" to do, and I might just throw up afterwards, but I could probably do it clocaked in the notion that it was some sort of civic duty like sitting in a Jury as a disinterested third party. __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
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12-12-2005, 04:58 PM	#8
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	GREAT! What time is the execution scheduled for?
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12-12-2005, 05:03 PM	#9
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,671	12:01 AM Tuesday (I guess that means tonight) - I should be home by then __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
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12-12-2005, 05:15 PM	#10
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I support the death penalty (in principle, not in practice), so if I thought an execution were justified I don't think I'd have a problem witnessing it. I've seen various killings (though not in person) and the simple seeing of it doesn't bother me (though the act may). If I thought an execution were justified I also think I could be the executioner without too much difficulty.
	Submit to Quotes