Assignment 5

Part I (your argument) due April 21

Part II (your rebuttal) due April 25

Please post your rebuttals as comment under the argument of the person whose argument you rebut.

Stanley Tookie Williams was an early leader of the ‘Crips’, a notorious American street gang which had its roots in South Central Los Angeles. He was convicted of three murders in 1979. While on Death Row in California, Williams became an anti-gang activist, he renounced his gang affiliation and apologized for the Crips' founding, while maintaining his innocence of the crimes for which he was convicted. He co-wrote children's books and participated in efforts intended to prevent youths from joining gangs. In late 2005, a campaign began to urge the Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, to grant clemency for Williams in consideration of his work as an anti-gang activist and asserted "redemption." Thousands of people signed online petitions calling for Schwarzenegger to commute the death sentence. Those who campaigned against the execution included celebrities, politicians, and Nobel laureates. In early November, 2005, Williams' attorneys filed his formal petition for executive clemency, as well as a motion to obtain new evidence. On December 12, 2005, Schwarzenegger denied clemency for Williams, and he was executed via lethal injection on December 13, 2005. 

Suppose you had to argue on behalf of Schwarzenegger, against clemency for Williams, or in defense of Williams’ request form executive clemency. Please check in the tables below for which side you are supposed to argue and whose arguments to rebut. Your argument should include reference to theories of punishment and reasons for or against capital punishment.

 

Against clemency:	rebuts arguments by
Sheneika D	Karen A
Austin P	Diana S
Andrew L	Gelicia S
Anthony K	Tshering P
Kanchan K	Danny C
Dr. Albrecht	Jairo J

 

In favor of clemency	rebuts arguments by
Karen A	Austin P
Diana S	Andrew L
Gelicia S	Anthony K
Tshering P	Kanchan K
Danny C	Sheneika D
Jairo J	Austin P