My Defendant, Stanley Tookie
Williams has been convicted and sentenced to the death penalty. In my opinion I
believe death penalty is not the proper conviction for this case. Being a
leader of the gang “crips”, Stanley Williams has a lot of fault to crimes that
have been committed. Gang associated crimes where the crips have assaulted and
killed many people. Although he is partially to blame, I do not believe that
killing this man will make any difference. Justice is when someone is punished
for a crime they do. Death is not a punishment. I see it as nothing more then
putting an end to this mans misery. Freeing him from pain and guilt. Allowing
him to escape from reality and no longer exist. If the justice system wants
this man to be punished the best way to punish someone who has done so much
harm would be to have him or her live with regret for as long as they live.
This man is human and he should be given the opportunity to be sorry and try to
make good out of whatever life he has left. Why kill someone and let them leave
earth with a biter soul. Someone’s life shouldn’t be taken because they took
another’s life because the constitution authorizes the death penalty. For
example if someone kills my mother and I take it upon myself to kill them will
that be okay? Will I be punished for making him pay with his life? What good
will it bring anyone?
Mr.
Williams had changed his life and chose to do good. Why not use him as an
example for young gang members or even just young teens that may consider
joining gangs one day. Mr. Williams became an anti-gang activist. I believe
that being who he is would mean a lot for him to speak to teens and explain to
them the real deal of living life in violence and being a leader to a gang. By
killing Mr. Williams
The only example being shown is that gangs can get you
killed. The youth will take his words into consideration. He is someone that
the youth will look up to. Having much to relate to being that he had a
troubled life and may have not been raised in a safe environment. I am against
capital punishment because I do not think that will solve any problems. I believe
what should be done with murders is a process of fixing them internally. Effectively
changing their way of looking at life and regretting their actions toward other
innocent lives.
You made a good point concerning the effectiveness and morality of a death punishment. I do agree that everyone deserves a second chance, especially when someone makes a drastic change like Williams did.
ReplyDeleteHowever, you also said that getting involved with gangs can get you killed, which can be a supporting argument for justifying the capital punishment. To some extent, there needs to be a message sent to any youth involved in gangs that are considering to get out of that lifestyle. The message is clear: it is better to get out as soon as possible, before you commit a crime that is completely irreversible. The punishment assigned to Williams demonstrated that there is a point in life where it is too late to change things around. If the situation involved robbery or a less severe crime, then you would have a good point, but taking the lives of three people is a crime that cannot be excused, and the punishment reflects this.
The punishment would discourage the youth from getting involved in dangerous activities and rethink the consequences of the choices they make in life. Considering Mr. Williams' efforts, the upholding of his punishment strongly sends a message to gang members and society in general.
Karen, you not only defend Mr. Williams, but you also argue against the death penalty as a form of punishment. You argue that he can change the outlook of young people and have a positive impact on them, thus deterring them from becoming gang members. Interestingly, Austin also refers to deterrence, namely that the deterrent effect of the penalty may be lost because granting Williams clemency sends the wrong message. Austin, you also hold that some crimes are so severe that there is no redemption. What argument could be given to support that?
ReplyDelete