All the arguments that this individual deserved to die do not justify the death penalty in the United States. Most, if not all, of those executed in this country, deserve what they get. But that does not make it right. To me, the state executioner is no better than those he/she dispatches.
The death penalty has nothing to do with justice, and everything to do with politics. I doubt "the Terminator" spent much time thinking about Mr. Williams' alleged "redemption," or the plight of the survivors of those Mr. Williams was convicted of killing. The decision boiled down to fear of losing Republican support, inasmuch as he has already slid so far to the right that his reelection is in serious jeopardy in Democractic-controlled California. It was about "what are the political implications of this decision for me," instead of whether or not Mr. Williams actually deserved clemency.
The BTK killer was recently sentenced to consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole. If anyone is the posterboy for the death penalty, it is this creep. Yet, he will spend the rest of his days in prison, while some poor thug who killed to survive and who has no money and lacks the connections Mr. Williams had will be executed without incident or any public remorse. Where is the justice in the death penalty? No where. But there's plenty of revenge involved.
I am ashamed at the desensitization towards violence and killing in this country. Right here in this forum, some sick individual who called him/her self "Tookiewilliams" started a thread here in an effort to poke fun at Mr. Williams. Simon or the moderators quickly and rightfully deleted this despicable thread, and I personally am disgusted at all those who found this amusing enough to post additional posts of the same nature. You showed what sort of people you are. Regardless of your stance on capital punishment, there's nothing funny about Mr. Williams' execution. His family has been hurt, and I understand that certain family members of his victims were also crying at the execution. Those who find that to be funny ought to take a long hard look at the ugly being that stares them in the face when they look in a mirror.