Stanley Tookie Williams
Stanley Tookie Williams wrote children's books warning young people away from gangs and violence and spoke with youths and educators about avoiding gang life, and he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize; supporters said his work had made a difference in children's lives. He was executed by lethal injection at San Quentin State Prison in the early hours of December 13, 2005, and was pronounced dead at 12:35 a.m. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger denied clemency, saying Williams had not shown sincere remorse, and the governor, the Ninth Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his lawyers' final requests for a stay based on new witnesses. Williams maintained his innocence until the end, and his supporters said the state had killed an innocent man, while witnesses said staff took about 12 minutes to find a vein in his left arm.
Cause of death, as reported: Executed by the state. Stanley Tookie Williams maintained his innocence, and his supporters said the state had killed an innocent man, and his lawyers had sought a stay citing new witnesses.
Reported by: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (the agency that held him); Corrections Department spokeswoman Terry Thornton (the agency that held him); his supporters; his lawyers; Judy Campbell, KQED reporter and witness (witnesses).
Sources (9)
- Inmates Executed 1978 to Present
- Convicted killer Williams put to death in Calif.
- Stanley Tookie Williams Executed at San Quentin
- Williams dies by injection - The Spokesman-Review
- Witnessing the Execution of Stanley Tookie Williams
- Gang founder Stanley Williams executed in California
- WILLIAMS EXECUTED / LAST HOURS / Gang co-founder put to death for 1979 murders of 4 in L.A. area
- Crips gang co-founder Williams executed
- 10 Things To Know About The Life And Death Of Leader Of LA Crips Tookie Williams