NEW YORK, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Recent statements by San Quentin's Vernell Crittendon accusing Stanley Williams of "orchestrating gangland crimes from his cell" are flatly contradicted by official San Quentin documents to which Mr. Crittenden certainly has complete access.

An official San Quentin ICC Summary dated August 5, 2004, reported upon an interview of Stanley Williams and a review of his conduct as prisoner at San Quentin. Among other things, it states:

"Lt. G. Fuller stated that during his assignment in East Block he has not observed Williams in any gang involvement. ICC commended Williams on his positive program over the last ten years. Williams thanked ICC for their respectful treatment."

This San Quentin report is supported by statements from the Los Angeles Police Department, whose spokeswomen, April Harding, has recently said that there is no evidence of any illegal gang activity on Williams' part.

Lead clemency counsel for Stanley Williams, Peter Fleming, Jr., called Crittendon's accusations "a blatant, wholly improper, and dishonorable attempt by a prison spokesman to damage a man on death row for the apparent purpose of gutting Stanley Williams' petition for clemency. It is a shocking attempt to intervene in a matter where Crittendon should play no part."

Daniel Vasquez, who was warden at San Quentin from 1983 to 1993 recently said, in reference to Crittendon's statements, that he had never seen such an inflammatory statement in a news release from the prison. "It is like they're trying to drum up business for death row," he said.

Background

Stanley Williams was one of the founders of the Crips street gang. He was convicted of four murders in 1981, and has been on death row at San Quentin for the past twenty-four years. He has always maintained his innocence of these crimes. Stanley Williams is scheduled to be executed by the State of California on December 13, 2005 and is now seeking clemency from Governor Schwarzenegger.

While on death row, Stanley Williams has undergone a personal redemption. He has openly apologized for his role in forming the Crips and his actions as a gang member, and become a prominent anti-gang spokesman. He has written a series of anti-gang books for children, promoted gang truces, and given numerous talks to at-risk youth about the power of education, self-discipline and peace. He has received thousands of emails from individuals personally influenced by this message. As a result of his work while on death row, Stanley has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and for the Nobel Prize in Literature. This year, he received the President's Call to Service Award.

Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP is clemency counsel and Verna Wefald, Esq. of Pasadena, CA. is counsel of record for Stanley Williams.