CALIFORNIA ? Attorneys for Stanley Tookie Williams pleaded for his life before Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday, five days before the founder of the murderous Crips gang – now a peace activist – is scheduled to be executed.

The governor is considering pleas to grant clemency so Williams can continue his work convincing young people to reject violence.

Prosecutors in Thursday’s closed-door clemency hearing, however, told Schwarzenegger that Williams deserves death for four shotgun murders in 1979.

Williams, scheduled to die by injection Tuesday, would be the 12th California death row inmate executed since the state restored the death penalty in 1977.

Williams’ attorneys say he should be spared because his teachings from behind bars have convinced youths to avoid gangs.

Schwarzenegger gave each side about 30 minutes to present their cases. He has said it will be a difficult decision, which he could make at any point until the moment of execution.