San Francisco ? The argument over whether convicted killer Stanley Tookie Williams was a man of peace or a death-row con artist raged on after his execution Tuesday, with supporters announcing they would give him a funeral “befitting a statesman.”

The 51-year-old founder of the bloody Crips gang died by injection at San Quentin Prison just after midnight for the murders of four people in two 1979 holdups, professing his innocence to the very end, even when an admission of guilt might have helped save his life.

His last, best hope was an act of mercy by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. But the governor was unconvinced by Williams’ supporters – several Hollywood stars among them – who argued that he had redeemed himself behind bars with memoirs, children’s books and lectures against the dangers of gang life.

After the execution, Williams’ supporters vowed to continue his work to discourage youngsters from following in his footsteps, and promised another book from writings he left behind.