*** FINAL UPDATE 1:37 AM PACIFIC TIME *** Appears that nothing else new or of significance will occur tonight. Will not be blogging until later tomorrow. Godspeed to the families of victims Albert Owens, 26; Tsai-Shai Yang, 63; Yen-I Yang, 76; Yee-Chen Lin, 43. *** UPDATE 1:30 AM PACIFIC TIME *** Vernel Crittenden, San Quentin official - Number of additional security personnel (CHP, Marin County Sheriff deputies) on hand but no reports of incidents occurring outside the main gate. Followed standard protocol with large number of personnel on hand. Ready for large number of protesters. No incidents inside prison during lockdown in place all day. No rise in tensions reported. *** UPDATE 1:25 AM PACIFIC TIME *** Press conference with San Quentin warden - Stanley Williams spent his last day visiting with legal team and friends. Calm and maintained composure throughout the day. Met with visitors individually and in groups. Went to death watch cell at 6 PM. Spent last hours on telephone, mostly unrestricted. Refused food but requested and received milk and water. Invited 5 witnesses, declined spiritual advisor. Pronounced death at 12:35 AM. Didn't hear any last words. Stated he would pass statement to supporter to be read after his death. Didn't think Williams was trying to intimidate anyone. Says time to conduct execution was about the same as the other execution he had attended. Said Williams seemed frustrated with problem to get IV in left arm, was trying to help personnel get the line set up. Said everything in the execution was absolutely normal. There is a will. Barbara Becknell will take possession of remains. Says execution process was started 5 or 10 minutes later than normal. Williams met with Jesse Jackson several times during the day. *** UPDATE 1:00 - 1:15 AM PACIFIC TIME *** Press conference with media pool observers continues:
- Adam Housley, Fox News (continues) - Struggle to find left vein. Williams asked "Still can't find it?" Officer reads from paper thrust through door of chamber, legal jargon. Totality of it set in then.
- David Wohl, CBS 2 Palm Springs - Williams was very active, resistant, defiant. Procedure began about 12:20 AM and took about 15 minutes. Was an attorney for 15 years and never took a death penalty case cause he didn't want to see this. Felt very ill and sweaty watching the execution. Kept reminding himself of what Williams did but that didn't make it any easier. Commented on theatrics by Williams' witnesses. One man pumped his fist and yelled "Tookie!" Williams was a very very big guy, looked like he had been weightlifting nonstop for years. Took much longer than he thought. Doesn't know if he'll view it again.
- Questions: Williams showed no remorse for his crimes (observation confirmed by Housley, Wohl, Campbell, Linder). Wohl thought Williams was struggling, Linder thought it was frustration with difficulty of inserting needles. Cosby thought he was trying to control the room. Housley says Williams showed no resistance when guards brought him in, strapped him to table. Cosby thought he was showing his pride to the bitter end.
Last panel of media witnesses being brought out:
- Krystal Carreon, Sacramento Bee - About 12 min to secure IV line in left arm. Williams lifted head after execution order was issued, looked at his witnesses. Periodically mouthed some words that were inaudible to witnesses. Confirmed one of Williams' witnesses gave Black Pride salute.
- Jenifer Warren, LA Times - Most striking thing was the 12-minute hunt for a vein in the left arm. Williams winced several times. Other arm took about 3 minutes. Not lying still during preparations until death - head was looking around, at supporters or talking to guard at his right shoulder. Williams seemed to have some bond with that guard.
- Tad Whitaker, Marin Journal - Search for left arm vein was very unusual. Saw Robert Lee Massey execution, able to get his veins much quicker. Williams' witnesses seemed to have 2 or 3 things choreographed.
- Ruby Gonzales, Valley-Tribune (LA County) - Pretty solemn. One of Williams' witnesses was quiet and slouching. Saw one of Williams' attorneys yawn at one point. Confirmed hearing the innocent man statement at the end. Taped Williams' hands to the gurney using an entire roll of tape on each hand.
- Eric Leonard, KFI Radio Los Angeles - Most extraordinary things were the extremely drawn out and lengthy time elapses while looking for vein in left arm. 10+ minutes elapsed from the time Williams stopped moving and appeared to stop breathing until they announced time of death as 12:35 AM. Witnesses were studying each other.
- Steve Lopez, LA Times reporter - Williams came in without resistance, was strapped down and did not attempt to resist the procedure. Looked around the chamber several times while medical team was preparing him. Declared dead at 12:35.
- Contra Costa Times reporter - Difficulty establishing IV line in the left arm. Williams grimaced during the process of putting the needle in. Female guard announced 12:22 that the execution had begun. Williams raised and lowered his head several times, was breathing heavily, stomach raised and lowered several times. Breathing slowed, then no activity for several minutes. Williams had his eyeglasses on the whole time.
- Kevin Fagan, Chronicle - Sixth one he'd seen, this one very different. Williams had several supporters outside the chamber that gave Williams the Black Power salute several times and said, as they left, "The State of California just executed an innocent man." Victims' representatives were very passive. Lora Owens began crying at end. Williams' supporters were very intent, staring at Williams most of the time. Supporters appeared frustrated at how long it was taking. One of his attorneys and his co-author were present. Williams tried to hold his head up as long as he could.
- Tony Lopez, Local TV reporter - Williams' supporters blew him kisses, saying I love you. Williams appeared to be talking to his supporters during the process.
- AP reporter - Seemed that execution was taking much longer than Williams thought it would. Said Williams at one point said, "Are you doing that right?"
- Brian Rooney - Struck by what a personal process the execution was, Williams being touched by several people during the process. One guard on Williams' right side was touching his shoulder several times, seeming to comfort him. Also struck by how long it took. 22 minutes from entering the room to the reading of the death warrant. Williams looked exasperated. 36 min 15 sec from Williams walking into the room to being declared dead. No official last words in presence of the witnesses.
- Rita Cosby, MSNBC - Felt that Tookie Williams died as he lived - belligerent and steadfast to the bitter end. Refused to look at anyone but his supporters for the first few minutes. Williams said "No, no, no" several times. Guard announced "We will now complete the execution." Williams' breathing was labored for 3 or 4 minutes, then peaceful for the next 10 minutes. Williams' supporters shouted "The State of California just executed an innocent man" in sync as they were leaving. Victims' witnesses were very somber, very quiet.
- Judy Campbell, KQED Radio - Williams raised his head a lot and looked around. Lawyers waved, smiled, and nodded at Williams. Unidentified man raised his fist. Had a hard time establishing needle in his left arm. Williams said some sharp words to the personnel, appeared to be speaking loudly to them.
- Michael Linder, KNX News Radio LA - Some difficulty establishing needle in right arm. Saw alcohol wipe with quite a bit of blood on it. Pale white light in the chamber. Difficulty inserting needle in left arm at 12:08. Muffled voices from inside chamber at 12:14. Room was silent except for crackle of paper and pencils among the media. A piece of paper was thrust out from the chamber through a hole. The death notice (notice of confirmation) was then read out.
- Adam Housley, Fox News - Tan viewing room, oxygonal-shaped room sticking out of the wall was very green. Williams struck him as very large and older than recent pictures appeared. Thought Williams was trying to intimidate media by staring at them dramatically.
- The execution process is under way. Prison officials could issue a statement anytime after 12:15 AM.
- The crowd outside the prison is fairly quiet, although some protesters were harassing a Fox News Channel reporter doing a live report.
- None of the three broadcast networks are reporting live. Neither is MSNBC. Fox News and CNN International are live.
All appeals and requests for clemency and stays of execution have been denied.
According to the execution protocol:
- All witnesses have been seated.
- Phone calls are being placed to the State Departments of Justice and Corrections headquarters, respectively, by prison officials to determine if a last-minute stay has been issued.
- At 12:01 AM, Williams will be moved into the execution chamber by a three-guard team, which will secure Williams to the gurney and then leave.
- At approximately 12:06 AM, a two-man medical team will prepare Williams by inserting a needle into each arm and attaching a cardiac monitor.
- The warden will ask Williams if he has any last words. The warden will then leave the execution chamber.
- A prison staff member will then press three plungers, injecting Williams with chemicals to put him to sleep, stop his breathing and stop his heart.
- A notice will be read to the witnesses announcing Williams' death.
- Witnesses will then be led outside.
- The execution process is scheduled to be completed between 12:15 AM and 12:30 AM Pacific time.
- No new developments. Execution still scheduled for 12:01 AM Pacific time Tuesday.
- No reports of violence, looting, or other execution-related criminal activity from the California Highway Patrol or the State Office of Emergency Services.
- KCBS 740 AM San Francisco reports no response as yet to the last-minute petition to Governor Schwarzenegger from Williams' attorney seeking a 60-day delay.
- If the execution process is on schedule, Williams has been given a new change of clothing. In 15 minutes, at 11:45 PM Pacific, non-media witnesses will be seated. Ten minutes after that, media witnesses will be brought in.
- At midnight, prison officials will make final calls to the State Dept. of Justice and the State Dept. of Corrections headquarters to confirm that no last-minute stays have been issued.
- No significant developments. The execution is still scheduled for 12:01 AM Pacific time Tuesday.
- A reporter for KCBS 740 AM in San Francisco reports a primarily anti-death penalty crowd is covering about two blocks in front of San Quentin prison.
- The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Williams' lawyers faxed a letter to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at 9 PM Pacific time requesting a 60-day delay in the execution. Defense lawyers allege that another witness has come forward alleging misconduct by one of the witnesses.
- Check out this San Francisco Chronicle story by staff writer Kevin Fagan, who has witnessed five previous executions at San Quentin. Fagan presents a thorough yet concise description of the hours leading up to the execution.
- The next scheduled event in the execution process is at 11:30 PM, when Williams will be given a change of clothing - new jeans and a new blue work shirt.
- Protests continuing outside San Quentin as Tookie Williams' execution is 90 minutes away.
- No live broadcasts on any of the broadcast or cable news outlets.
- The San Francisco Chronicle confirms that Williams has asked for all five of the witness seats allotted to him to be filled.
- Williams has been in the death watch cell immediately adjacent to the death chamber since shortly after 6 PM Pacific time. The cell is 45 square feet, equipped only with a bed and toilet. The Chronicle story notes that, upon arrival in the death watch cell, Williams had 50 to 75 letters waiting for him, mostly from strangers.
- An unbelievable statement on Larry King Live tonight by Sister Helen Prejean, the noted anti-death penalty activist. She compared the government's carrying out the Williams execution to gang vengeance.
- On the same show, self-help guru Tony Robbins launched a vicious personal attack against Lora Owens, stepmother of victim Albert Owens and a supporter of Williams' execution.
- Williams is now in a small cell immediately adjacent to the death chamber. He will remain in that cell, with no further visitors, until he is moved into the death chamber shortly before midnight.
*** UPDATE 9:30 PM PACIFIC TIME ***
Excellent update by Michelle Malkin at 9 PM Pacific time. Two sources confirm that Jesse Jackson could not name ONE of Williams' victims when confronted by an LA radio talk show host, who was then assaulted by Jackson supporters, including syndicated moonbat Judge Mathis.
Michelle also references a San Quentin official's press conference - 39 official witnesses to the execution, including five approved by Williams - which goes against previous media reports that Williams would have no witnesses. CBS Radio News reported at the top of the hour that Williams still had declined a last meal, although he had requested some milk.
And Michelle's best point, one which I've been making for weeks: remember the victims: Albert Owens, 26; Tsai-Shai Yang, 63; Yen-I Yang, 76; Yee-Chen Lin, 43
*** UPDATE 8:45 PM PACIFIC TIME ***
- Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor declined to issue an emergency stay.
- Williams' lawyers have said there are no further options unless Governor Schwarzenegger issues a last minute stay of execution.
- No reports of violence or civil disturbance in Los Angeles or elsewhere.
- Media representatives and witnesses have been processed and are in the prison awaiting the execution.
- Williams has declined to invite any witnesses to view the execution, and has declined a last meal.
- A large crowd, mostly anti-death penalty, has gathered outside the gates of San Quentin State Prison, including Jesse Jackson and actor Mike Farrell. No reports of violence or disturbance.
- Michelle Malkin and LaShawn Barber have updates, too.
- The California Supreme Court unanimously refused to grant a stay of execution.
- The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals refused to grant an appeal or a stay of execution.
- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has decided to deny clemency.
Assuming there is no last-minute interference by the Supreme Court (either by a single justice or the court as a whole), Stanley "Tookie" Williams will be executed by lethal injection at San Quentin State Prison at 12:01 AM Pacific time, Tuesday, December 13th.
I take no joy that Stanley "Tookie" Williams' life will end in a little more than 11 hours (as I write this). But I do take some comfort in the fact that Williams will be punished for his crimes, and that he will never again be able to harm an innocent person.
Remember today those who received the death penalty at the hands of Tookie Williams:
- Albert Lewis Owens, 26 - shotgunned to death on 28 February 1979
- Tsai-Shai Yang, 63 - shotgunned to death on 11 March 1979
- Yen-I Yang, 76 - shotgunned to death on 11 March 1979
- Yee-Chen Lin, 43 - shotgunned to death on 11 March 1979
Excellent blogging on the latest developments by La Shawn Barber. Here is Michelle Malkin's latest Tookie Files post, which contains links to her previous posts on Tookie Williams.
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