Schwarzenegger would not consider clemency without a confession

So let that be a lesson. If you want to be saved from the death penalty, you must confess. :crazy:

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Arnold Schwarzenegger has denied clemency to Stanley Tookie Williams for murdering four people in 1979.

The California governor came to a decision just over a week after a double murderer became the 1,000th prisoner to be executed in the United States since the reimposition of capital punishment in 1976.

Critics believe that Schwarzenegger's recent loss on all his initiatives in a special election he called last month, would have risked alienating his Republican party if he granted clemency...

http://www.channel4.com/news/content/news-storypage.jsp?id=1695279

Schwarzenegger noted, however, that Williams never apologized for the murders. Williams maintains he did not commit them.

"Without an apology and atonement for these senseless and brutal killings, there can be no redemption," Schwarzenegger said. "In this case, the one thing that would be the clearest indication of complete remorse and full redemption is the one thing Williams will not do.''

Schwarzenegger questioned Williams' claim of redemption, which has been largely touted by his supporters, including celebrities, the NAACP and death penalty opponents.

"Is Williams' redemption complete and sincere, or is it just a hollow promise?" Schwarzenegger wrote.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/12/13/WILLIAMS.TMP

What a shame.

For his alleged sexual harassment problems...was the Gropenator's redemption complete and sincere or was it a hollow promise????

If they float, they are guilty. If not, well at least we know we're keeping the streets safe.....

This country is amazing, isn't it? A rich white frat boy can kill a hundred thousand civilians and people celebrate him as a hero. A brown skinned man, a chump change piker by murderous comparison kills 4, 5, 2, whatever, and he must be put to death! Amazing.

They don't even think about granting parole unless you admit guilt. It makes me wonder about the people who are innocent.

You are right, don't even think about not admitting guilt if you want parole.

Then later some idiot will say about a man wrongly executed and say "but he confessed!!!"

And W smiled as he refused her mercy.

Just shows where we are in this country. Bombs in Iraq and executions at home. Killing really is our national sport.

Since the Catholic Church was all over Kerry's ass in the last election because of the abortion issue which was phrased as a part of the comprehensive sanctity of life (Kerry was denied communion) What will Arnold's bishop do?

Seems to me that this groping ex nazi is one self centered pandering piece of crap, which I don't quite understand due to the fact that unlike most politicians in his position...he can't be president. THANK GOD

Let's see if they deny communion to those governors who allow it.

Hi Erika: Yes, that is the point that I am trying to make. If these right wing Bishops and Cardinals do give him communion then they are being hypocrits who have been whoring for the fundy's and neo-cons.

BTW I have read a lot of your posts and love what you have to say. Many times you have said it much better than I can. Thanks for your insight-Mike

that one of the few times the prison system worked and the inmate turned things around and started leading a positive life, that it really made no difference in the end. I don't mean he should be allowed out of prison, but what good came from putting him to death at this time?

It just serves to feed the salivating blood-feuders some scraps. Doesn't bring anyone back to life. Doesn't change a goddamned thing. The only thing it does do is reveal how unbelievably stupid and shortsighted we are to place life and death matters into the hands of the richest, whitest and most disconnected from the real world in our society.

You are no longer a role model. Not in your wildest dreams.

Whatever achievements or success you consider to be important to your life and the lives of others have all been diminished, squashed and cancelled out by your decision to execute and not commute the death sentence of Tookie Williams.

How does it feel to be remembered as the Terminator? I’m not talking about the movies. I’m talking about real life that you ignored and instead washed your hands in a lame statement that deferred your lawful ability to commute this death sentence to the decree of the people.

You are just as culpable of murder as Pontius Pilot and even more pompous and disingenuous. No matter how you choose to frame or explain it, you now have real blood on your hands. The process of denial will be horrific. (Just look at GWB*.) I’m sorry for you and your family.

BUT, I have much greater empathy for the life and family of Tookie Williams. He did not have the benefit of real evidence against him, but he had a real epiphany because of his dubious conviction. You had a dubious election and you’re doing nothing for the people of California or yourself. You can’t go back to the movies. It’s not like anyone wants to buy a ticket to see a real Terminator. Live with that because that’s how you will be remembered.

And for the Federal interlopers: I must add that I’m not threatening the Terminator’s family. I’m just saying that he brings it upon himself. KHARMA

If you want to be regarded as redeemed, then one should actually do the things necessary to redeem oneself.

Tookie will leave this Earth as an unredeemed killer who ran a brilliant, yet unsuccessfull PR campaign.

Which is exactly the same reason why Arnold would consider clemency.

that confession would be an admission of guilt and Tookie claims he didn't commit the murders. I still think guilty or not, he should spend the rest of his life in prison. I just don't think we have any right to take anyone's life even if his crime is murder. The two wrongs don't make a right argument kicks in for me here.

It's important that Arnold make a statement before his brief sojourn into politics comes to an end. Had he commuted William's sentence, he would be remembered as a "girly man" and not as "the Terminator". It's important to remember Schwarzenegger's Nazi heritage as well, executing people is tradition. Lethal Injection? Surely there is an old gas chamber somewhere in the state. Papa would be so proud.

Reminds me of the witch days in Salem. "Say you're a witch or die!" And than you just die anyways....