Gov. Schwarzenegger Refuses Clemency, Tookie Executed

Supporters of death row inmate Stanley "Tookie" Williams made a last-minute pitch to petition the California Supreme Court spare his life but yesterday, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger refused to grant Williams clemency and Williams died by lethal injection this morning (Dec. 13). "Clemency cases are always difficult, and this one is no exception," Schwarzenegger said. […]

Supporters of death row

inmate Stanley "Tookie" Williams made a last-minute pitch to petition

the California Supreme Court spare his life but yesterday, California Governor

Arnold Schwarzenegger refused to grant Williams clemency and Williams died by

lethal injection this morning (Dec. 13).

"Clemency

cases are always difficult, and this one is no exception," Schwarzenegger

said. "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."

Williams was convicted

of murdernig four people in 1979.

On Sunday, Williams’s supporters

stated that a man who could help prove Williams’s innocence had recently come

forward.

They recorded and

forwarded the alleged witness statements to Governor Schwarzenegger’s office

for his review, but without success.

The former Crips

gang co-founder died by lethal injection at San Quentin state prison north of

San Francisco just after midnight, after serving 24 years on death row.

Williams, a Nobel Peace

prize nominated author, maintained his innocence and continuously petitioned

the California Supreme Court to reopen his case.

Williams’

case garnered national attention and celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Bianca Jagger,

The Reverend Jesse Jackson, Jamie Foxx, Judge Greg Mathis and Daz Dillinger

came forward to support him.

Snoop, who met with Williams

last week, spoke to AllHipHop.com about Williams’ disposition.

“He was upbeat.

I think he’s a great man, I think he’s a peacemaker, a strong individual,”

Snoop told AllHipHop.com. “I think all the great things he’s doing

with the kids in terms of the books is a reflection of the type of person that

he is. He’s a changed man, he’s a redeemed man.”