Governor's clemency denial draws muted reaction

SACRAMENTO - When Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger denied clemency to Stanley Tookie Williams, the political backlash was muted and predictable. It came from those who have long been opposed to the death penalty and some leaders in the African-American community -- but hardly anyone else.

Even the Democrats challenging him in next year's governor's race had nothing critical to say.

"I respect the governor's difficult decision," said Controller Steve Westly, who supports the death penalty, just like Schwarzenegger. Treasurer Phil Angelides, who also supports the death penalty -- as do two out of every three California voters -- was silent.

The reaction -- or lack of it -- underscores how little Schwarzenegger as a politician had to lose by denying Williams' plea to save his life, despite all the attention the case has received.

"He was on the right side, politically," said Allan Hoffenblum, a Republican consultant. "There was no groundswell of individuals trying to persuade the governor to grant clemency."

Still, by holding a clemency hearing and waiting four days to announce his decision, Schwarzenegger created an air of suspense and raised the hopes of Williams' supporters only to dash them with what they said was a pro-forma dismissal.

"Let's face it, he is a first-term governor who wants a second term," Bruce S. Gordon, NAACP president and CEO, said in a conference call after the governor announced his decision. "He is going to make decisions that appeal to those who got him into office and those who could return him to office."

Gordon said Schwarzenegger's decision not to spare Williams, who is black, sent a terrible message to the African-American community.

"It sends a message that the criminal justice system in California and across this country will continue to look at African-Americans differently," he said. "There is absolutely no recognition given to redemption."

Williams, 51, claimed he was innocent of the four shotgun murders that put him on death row and battled his conviction and death sentence for nearly a quarter-century. But he based his appeal for clemency on his personal transformation while behind bars.

Williams, who helped found the Crips street gang, crusaded against gang violence during his later years in prison and wrote a memoir and several children's books.

Schwarzenegger questioned whether Williams really had redeemed himself, given that he never admitted committing the murders.

"Is Williams' redemption complete and sincere, or is it just a hollow promise?" the governor wrote, adding later: "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."

Reading the governor's decision, Frank Zimring, a law professor at the University of California, at Berkeley's Boalt Hall wondered why Schwarzenegger called so much attention to the case by holding a clemency hearing, which he did not have to do, just to dismiss it matter-of-factly.

He said Schwarzenegger's decision was so one-sided it could have been written by the California District Attorneys Association.

"It didn't seem to be written for the ages at all, so what took so long?" Zimring asked. "This is the kind of thing that you want to issue quietly and draw as little attention to as you can."

Some assumed that Schwarzenegger announced his decision on a Monday morning to avoid inciting protests over the weekend. But the governor's office said the decision was not made until Monday.

As it was, Schwarzenegger rejected Williams' clemency request less than 12 hours before his scheduled execution.

And, for all the suspense, few were surprised.

"He ran as a death-penalty supporter, and I don't think anybody is going to be surprised by his position," said Bill Carrick, a Democratic consultant. "I don't think it's going to change anybody's mind about Arnold Schwarzenegger one way or the other."