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As the attorney who acted as the prosecutor of Crips co-founder Stanley ("Tookie") Williams, I read with interest your report on his writing books against gang violence for youngsters [Education, Sept. 23]. Williams insists that his "transformation" should be judged separately from his crimes. Williams was convicted of killing Alvin Owen, a young, white, 7-Eleven employee. He later laughed about the gurgling sounds of his victim's last gasps. Then Williams shot an Asian couple who owned a Los Angeles motel, and shot off part of their daughter's face and killed her. He bragged about his exploits to a friend while walking his pit bull.
You noted that Williams' case recently reached the federal appeals system, but a battery of appointed lawyers (at taxpayers' expense) has been searching the trial record since 1981 in an effort to find something, anything, to argue about. So far, the prosecution has prevailed with the California Supreme Court, the U.S. Supreme Court, two lengthy habeas corpus hearings and numerous motions.
Evidence regarding Williams' guilt remains firmly intact and is hardly an issue. However, meritless appeals will undoubtedly continue until the appeal process is further revised. Williams has had more than his share of due process. His victims had none. He received a just sentence, and no apology or writing of books can mitigate his execution of four innocent people. ROBERT M. MARTIN Former Deputy District Attorney Los Angeles County Los Angeles
If your otherwise excellent article was intended to suggest that I committed the crimes for which I am imprisoned ["his transformation, he insists, should be judged separately from his crimes"], then a serious error has been made. I did not commit those crimes, and I did not state or imply that to your reporter. Also, the quote "I simply don't believe that I am going to be executed" left out the point I was really trying to make: I have to be optimistic to survive. So I have to believe that I won't be executed. STANLEY ("TOOKIE") WILLIAMS Crips Co-Founder San Quentin, California
AMERICA'S ROYAL WEDDING
Who would have guessed that John F. Kennedy Jr., the most watched and eligible bachelor in America, would fool us all and get married [Nation, Oct. 7] without the chaos, cameras and reporters that have haunted him for most of his life? Whether he was playing under his father's desk or failing the bar exam, we have watched Kennedy grow up in front of our eyes. And now he has managed to pull off the difficult task of getting married just like anybody else, without any disturbances from the media. There is no doubt in my mind that Jackie was looking down and smiling! AYSHA GHADIALI Baldwin, New York Via E-mail
I thought kennedy was supposed to be the sexiest man on earth; if so, then why did he marry Carolyn Bessette? She has a deformed nose, and her cheekbones make her look awful. I am a freshman in high school, and I know about women. This one is totally disgusting. SHAHRUKH MALIK LAHORES, Pakistan Via E-mail