Schwarzenegger denies clemency to Williams

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today denied clemency to Crips street gang founder Stanley Tookie Williams, who is now scheduled to die later tonight at the hands of the people of California.

I am opposed to the death penalty in all cases and I am tempted to criticize Schwarzenegger for refusing to do what seems to be the right thing.

Yet I must agree with Ann Althouse on this, at least in part: "Personally, I'm opposed to the death penalty, but I can't understand why this person deserves it less than others who don't get clemency. Fame shouldn't be enough. Having famous supporters shouldn't be enough."

Does Williams deserve clemency more than others? Well, he seems to have reformed himself in prison. Is that not enough? Perhaps not.

Simply, the death penalty should be abolished. Before then, clemency should be granted whenever and wherever possible. I do criticize Schwarzenegger for not granting clemency in this case, but it is surely unjust to grant clemency selectively.

But, then, the death penalty is also unjust. What would be more unjust -- selective clemency or taking Williams's life? Surely the latter.

This is yet one more death at the hands of the state. A death that could have been prevented. I realize that justice often means fairness, but that should have been the ultimate consideration.

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John Cole has a good take at Balloon Juice, including the text of Schwarzenegger's response.