Ask Fred > Ethics > What about clemency for Tookie Williams?

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Dear Fred

Good Morning Fred: In the California, famly and legislators are debating a heated iissue to stay his execution sentence or grant clemency by the Governor for "Tookie" Williams. He received death sentence by jury, as a former CRIP gang who was member responsible for a Chino home invasion and murder of 4-member family in California. He has since accepted Jesus over 20 years ago, and his defense team is pleading for clemency from the Governor based on his right to life and reconcilation with God: he is pleading for forgiveness from lone family member who survived the brutal murder in Chino. Should Tookie Williams be granted clemency by the Governor for the crime of murdering this family over 25 years ago?

Fred's Response

If he had been executed closer to the date of his crime there would have been no question. Our system has given him years in which to contribute and instead of executing a criminal we are faced with executing a productive member of the prison community. I personally would rather support him in prison so long as he contributes rather than losing the asset. I don't subscribe to the principle of revenge alone. In this case I think we have to make a value judgment.