On December 13th, 2005, if Governor Shwarzenegger doesn't intervene, Stanley "Tookie" Williams will be executed for killing four people in cold blood. He has been convicted in court (and yes, the jury did have minorities: a black man and a Filipino). But to this day, he still declares his innocence, despite the fact that the weapon belonged to him. Additionally, the murders were planned. He stated that he wanted no witnesses.
Should the governor forgive him? We have someone in jail, convicted by good evidence, yet he still does not accept his responsibility for the murders. His supporters: criminals, gangsters, and Hollywood, want to remove his death penalty punishment because he has done good works through books, and sharing his testimony about gangs.
My position? We should forgive him as a person but let the consequence follow through. If you broke the law, the consequence must be paid. On a Christian stand point, Adam and Eve sinned and were forgiven; however, they were not restored. They suffered death for the transgression of the law.
Let's not concentrate on the murder, but the victims. They are dead now. What legacy do we remember them by, that their untimely deaths had no consequence? That the consequences of murders can be repaid through writing books and giving interviews?
Forgive the person but execute the consequence.
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