Tookie's Timeline

The title seems ironically trite, as this case seems rich in quagmire and unknowns. This ugly, evil-feeling dilemma is a big part of the reason that I believe there should be no death penalty. There are too many unknowns, not the least of which has to do with the afterlife.

Issues that bother me include the fact that this individual had no witnesses to his crimes. It is supposition/allegation from questionable witnesses. That, in itself, is enough to give him life in prison as it raises the possibility of reasonable doubt. If Tookie has to die, why don't all 3 of the white men who murderd Mr. James Byrd Jr. by dragging him to death? Is there a double standard for Blacks? Finally, for some reason, Tookie has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize 6 times. I'm not aware of his achievements while serving time in jail, but they must have caught some segment of world wide attention to even get to the nomination stage. Finally, might he do more good alive than dead. For the sake of public safety, why risk the possibilities of chaos/riots? Is the cost/benefit worth it?

So strange that he will be put to death in 18 minutes. A tragic life who made a great effort to redeem himself of his wrongs. As sad reflection of our misguided and lost and social system.

"He who thinks he knows, doesn't know.
He who thinks he doesn't know, knows."
Lao Tzu