The Crimes of Tookie Williams

On February 28, 1979, Stanley Williams murdered Albert Lewis Owens during a robbery of a 7-Eleven convenience store in Whittier, California. Here are the details of that crime from the Los Angeles County District Attorneys response to Williams petition for executive clemency. Late on the evening of February 27, 1979, Stanley Tookie Williams introduced his friend Alfred Coward, a.k.a. Blackie, to a man named Darryl. A short time later, Darryl, driving a brown station wagon, drove Williams to the residence of James Garrett. Coward followed in his 1969 Cadillac. (Trial Transcript (TT) 2095-2097). Stanley Williams often stayed at the Garrett residence and kept some of his belongings there, including his shotgun. (TT 1673, 1908). At the Garrett residence, Williams went inside and returned carrying a twelve-gauge shotgun. (TT 2097-2098). Darryl and Williams, with Coward following in his car, later drove to another residence, where they obtained a PCP-laced cigarette, which the three men shared. Williams, Coward, and Darryl then went to the residence of Tony Sims. (TT 2109). These four men then discussed where they could go in Pomona to make some money. (TT 2111). The four men then went to yet another residence where they smoked more PCP. (TT 2113-2116). While at this location, Williams left the other men and returned with a .22 caliber handgun, which he also put in the station wagon. (TT 2117-2118). Williams then told Coward, Darryl and Sims they should go to Pomona. In response, Coward and Sims entered the Cadillac, Williams and Darryl entered the station wagon, and both cars traveled on the freeway toward Pomona. (TT 2118-2119). The four men exited the freeway near Whittier Boulevard. (TT 2186). They drove to a Stop-N-Go market and, at Williams direction, Darryl and Sims entered the store to commit a robbery. At the time, Darryl was armed with the .22 caliber handgun. (TT 2117-2218; Tony Sims Parole Hearing Dated July 17, 1997). Johnny Garcia Escapes Death The clerk at the Stop-N-Go market, Johnny Garcia, had just finished mopping the floor when he observed a station wagon and four black men at the door to the market. (TT 2046-2048). Two of the men entered the market. (TT 2048). One of the men went down an aisle while the other approached Garcia. The man that approached Garcia asked for a cigarette. Garcia gave the man a cigarette and lit it for him. After approximately three to four minutes, both men left the market without carrying out the planned robbery. (TT 2049-2050). He Would Show Them How Williams became upset that Darryl and Sims did not commit the robbery. Williams told the men that they would find another place to rob. Williams said that at the next location all of them would go inside and he would show them how to commit a robbery. Coward and Sims then followed Williams and Darryl to the 7-Eleven market located at 10437 Whittier Boulevard. (TT 2186). The store clerk, 26-year-old Albert Lewis Owens, was sweeping the stores parking lot. (TT 2146). Albert Owens is Killed When Darryl and Sims entered the 7-Eleven, Owens put the broom and dustpan down and followed them into the store. Williams and Coward followed Owens into the store. (TT 2146-2152). As Darryl and Sims walked to the counter area to take money from the register, Williams walked behind Owens and told him shut up and keep walking. (TT 2154). While pointing a shotgun at Owens back, Williams directed him to a back storage room. (TT 2154). Once inside the storage room, Williams, at gunpoint, ordered Owens to lay down, mother f*****. Williams then chambered a round into the shotgun. Williams then fired the round into the security monitor. Williams then chambered a second round and fired the round into Owens back as he lay face down on the floor of the storage room. Williams then fired again into Owens back. (TT 2162). Near Contact Wound Both of the shotgun wounds were fatal. (TT 2086). The pathologist who conducted the autopsy on Owens testified that the end of the barrel was very close to Owens body when he was shot. One of the two wounds was described as . . . a near contact wound. (TT 2078). After Williams murdered Owens, he, Darryl, Coward, and Sims fled in the two cars and returned home to Los Angeles. The robbery netted them approximately $120.00. (TT 2280). Killing All White People Once back in Los Angeles, Williams asked if anyone wanted to get something to eat. When Sims asked Williams why he shot Owens, Williams said he didnt want to leave any witnesses. Williams also said he killed Owens because he was white and he was killing all white people. (TT 2189, 2193). Later that same day, Williams bragged to his brother Wayne about killing Owens. Williams said, you should have heard the way he sounded when I shot him. Williams then made gurgling or growling noises and laughed hysterically about Owens death. (TT 2195-2197). Next: The Brookhaven Robbery-Murders