Stanley Williams - Leader of The Crips

Leader of The Crips

As leader of the West Side Crips Williams became the archetype of the new wave of Los Angeles gang members. Williams had become incredibly muscular as a result of his intense bodybuilding regimen and never missed an opportunity to display his physique, either in street fights or at social events like concerts or the annual Watts Fest. Williams' violent exploits as a gang leader were just as legendary as his huge biceps. With his best friend and "enforcer" Curtis "Buddha" Morrow, Willliams would engage in random acts of violence against rival gang members and innocent people alike, striking fear in both street criminals and the residents of South Central, Watts and Compton. Perhaps what made his exploits even more legendary was the fact that on numerous occasions the criminal charges that were filed against him never stuck.

As other leaders of the Crips were either murdered or incarcerated (in 1973 Raymond Washington was arrested for 2nd degree robbery and sentenced to five years in prison in Tracy, California, Curtis "Buddha" Morrow was shot to death in South Central L.A. on February 23, 1973 following a petty argument, Mac Thomas was murdered under mysterious circumstances in the mid 1970s) Williams was regarded as the leader of the Crips. Around this time Williams lived a dual life as a gang leader as well as a youth counselor in Compton, California, even studying Sociology at Compton College. Despite this he spent his free time participating in numerous violent attacks against the Bloods.

In 1976 Williams was wounded in a drive-by shooting in Compton by members of the Bloods. While sitting on the porch of his house one evening as he'd let his dog out for a walk a carload of Bloods drove by the house and opened fire on Williams. Attempting to avoid getting hit Williams dove from the porch and was wounded in both of his legs. Despite being told by doctors that he would never walk again Williams began a nearly year long process of physical rehabilitation and an intense workout regimen, ultimately regaining his ability to walk.