As an update that sets the stage for a post I have in the “draft” stage, we really need to re-visit the Tookie Williams execution story.

As most of us know already, in December, Tookie Williams, the Crips gang co-founder was put to death in a California prison for 4 murder convictions. He was reportedly “at peace” as he awaited the final moments. Witnesses and prison officials said Williams became impatient as prison staff had a rough time finding a vein in his arm to administer the lethal injection.

I’m not really sure what they shot Williams with but his death was announced nearly 40 minutes after the injection began. What? Does that sound right? The Dr. in charge probably wanted to give him the exact dose calculated to bring on death and not made it about 10 times stronger. A major screw-up and one that should be closely scrutinized. Even the condemned man shouldn’t have to wait that long due to either the fumbling of the procedure or inefficiency of the substance used in the injection.

“He did seem frustrated that it didn’t go as quickly as he thought it might,” said San Quentin State Prison Warden Steven Ornoski. Williams, 51, acknowledged a violent past but maintained he was innocent of the slayings. He became an anti-gang crusader while on death row.” Well, Death Row has a way of changing the way a man thinks, I’m sure. I don’t know if he was an anti-gang crusader as an atonement, or as a ploy for clemency – where for a man of his stature – life in the joint would be another day on the block. Business as usual – but his motives aren’t for us to ever know for certain.

It was the second execution in California this year, and despite pleas for clemency, Schwarzenegger questioned the sincerity of Williams’ conversion to nonviolence. “Is Williams’ redemption complete and sincere, or is it just a hollow promise?” Schwarzenegger wrote. “Without an apology and atonement for these senseless and brutal killings there can be no redemption.” He added: “In this case, the one thing that would be the clearest indication of complete remorse and full redemption is the one thing Williams will not do.”

Was that the key to Tookies life or death? Did he not stand up in the courtroom, or set up visits, or send personal letters to the victim’s family asking for forgiveness, and expressing his remorse? Tookie claimed he was innocent, and he must have decided to take what they gave him rather than admit to murders he didn’t commit, or he played the innocent card until the end, and lost the hand when time “called” his bluff? I guess we’ll never know for sure.

Arnold, sounding very much like his character “The Terminator” decided Tookie wouldn’t repent and atone – which implies he never questioned William’s guilt.

The editor of Williams’ books, Barbara Becnel, pledged that his supporters would not give up their fight to prove Williams’ innocence. “We are going to prove his innocence, and when we do, we are going to show that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is, in fact, himself a cold blooded murderer,” Becnel reportedly said.

Them’s some strong words there Barbara, for Gov. Arnold, who probably just made the decision he was instructed to, and felt was the best choice. Don’t get things confused! Remember he lost his last minute appeal, finally, to the U.S. Supreme Court “after” the Governor made his decision. So it was, in the end, the ruling of the highest court in the land!