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Interviews Today with Tookie Williams and Lori Berenson

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Tue Nov 29, 2005 at 11:17:06 PM EST
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Democracy Now Wednesday will feature interviews with Stanley "Tookie" Williams, awaiting a clemency meeting with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Lori Berenson, imprisoned for ten years in a Peruvian jail. Go here to listen in.

A Conversation with Death Row Prisoner Stanley Tookie Williams

Two weeks from the date of his scheduled execution, Williams speaks from death row with Democracy Now! about his case, his life and his redemption. Williams helped start the Crips street gang. But behind bars he has become a leading advocate for the end of gang violence. He has written nine books and has been nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize. He is scheduled to die on Dec. 13.

Lori Berenson Commentary from Prison Marks 10th Anniversary of her Arrest

On the 10th anniversary of the arrest of U.S. citizen Lori Berenson, her father, Mark Berenson, reads a commentary she released from prison. She was convicted in 1995 in Peru by hooded military judges of collaborating with the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement. She is scheduled for release in November 2015.

< Cunningham: Cooperation With Feds Runs in Family | Security Flaws Found in Wiretaps >

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    Interviews Today with Tookie Williams and Lori Berenson | 6 comments (6 topical)
    Re: Interviews Today with Tookie Williams and Lori (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:06:32 PM EST
    Isn't part of the problem with the Williams clemency plea that while he has written about anti gang issues that he has not revealed information that might have ended gang violence. I think Schwarzenegger will grant clemency because he will be convinced by all the Democrats that he has now hired (Quislings) that it will help his image.

    Re: Interviews Today with Tookie Williams and Lori (none / 0) (#2)
    by Slado on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:06:32 PM EST
    What is the arguement for TW that he should be granted clemency? That he is now a nice guy? I'm a little late to the party but is anyone actually arguing that he's innocent? It seems pretty obvious that he killed several people in cold blood for pocket money. Is this basically a your for or against the death penalty case? I.E. Dead Man Walking? Because as murderers go he's pretty high on the list of bad guys. I mean popping a teller so there wouldn't be any witnesses to a $100 hold-up is pretty bad. Not to mention he started a major crime orginization. Sure he wrote some children's books in prison but his orginization, which he founded, is responsible for the murder of thousands of gang member, drug dealer and casual bystanders. All mostly black. I'm not a supporter of the death penalty but this is one person, if anyone can deserve it who seems deserving of it.

    Re: Interviews Today with Tookie Williams and Lori (none / 0) (#3)
    by scarshapedstar on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:06:33 PM EST
    The questions seems to me whether we'd be better off with him sitting in a jail cell forever, or dead. He doesn't seem to be harming anyone and is indeed trying to atone for his past, so I don't see exactly what the argument for death is, except of course for the always-admirable desire for retribution.

    Re: Interviews Today with Tookie Williams and Lori (none / 0) (#4)
    by Slado on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:06:34 PM EST
    The original prosecuter was on Abrams last night and he brought up a good point. TW has never admitted he's guilty so he hasn't really repented for his crimes. He's trying to have it both ways as I see it. On one hand he is saying he should be given a stay because he didn't receive a fair trail etc... on the other he's maintaining he's a better person but has been rehabilitated. Which is it? Again I'm no fan of the death penalty but this guy shouldn't be held up as a shining star for what's wrong with the system.

    Re: Interviews Today with Tookie Williams and Lori (none / 0) (#5)
    by roy on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:06:34 PM EST
    The original prosecuter was on Abrams last night and he brought up a good point. TW has never admitted he's guilty so he hasn't really repented for his crimes. He's trying to have it both ways as I see it.
    That bothers me, too, but I'm not sure if it should figure in to the decision. Big Took is plainly guilty, but if a lack of admission rules out clemency, then a person who is actually innocent could ever be granted clemency. Also, we have a constitutional right to avoid self-incrimination. Making clemency contingent on self-incrimination sort of violates that right to avoid it. That's certainly not a legal argument. It may not even be a common sense argument. Just a train of thought.

    Re: Interviews Today with Tookie Williams and Lori (none / 0) (#6)
    by kdog on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:06:34 PM EST
    I agree he is no shining star. We once did have a shining star that showed the err of capital punishment. His name was Jesus...but I guess humanity didn't pay enough attention, or simply lost the message.

    Interviews Today with Tookie Williams and Lori Berenson | 6 comments (6 topical)