San Francisco – The state Supreme Court late Sunday refused to grant a stay of execution for gang member and convicted killer Stanley Tookie Williams, meaning he will be executed early Tuesday unless the governor grants clemency or a last-ditch federal appeal succeeds.
Williams’ supporters made another pitch to save his life earlier Sunday, telling Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s staff that they had a new witness who could help prove Williams’ innocence.
“All we need now is time to investigate to make sure this story is real,” said NAACP California president Alice Huffman. “We’re hoping and praying for clemency, but we’re not going to leave any stone unturned.”
The new witness’ statements were sent to Schwarzenegger’s office, where the staff said the governor wouldn’t announce his decision on the clemency request before today.
Williams, 51, is set to be executed at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday for the murders of four people in 1979.
The state’s high court ruled 6-0 against staying the execution, saying Williams’ last- minute appeal lacked merit and was untimely.
Williams founded Los Angeles’ violent Crips street gang, but his supporters say he has turned his life around and redeemed himself by denouncing violence and writing children’s books on the evils of gang life during his 24 years at San Quentin prison.
