As murderer and Crips co-founder Stanley Tookie Williams tries to stave off execution next month, California prison officials have launched an unusual counterattack against the notion that he has redeemed himself behind bars. The Corrections Department posted a press release on its Web site about the upcoming execution, detailing Williams' crimes and asserting that he has been a gang leader while on death row at San Quentin. However, at least one thousand supporters have been gathering outside of the prison this weekend, protesting the upcoming execution of the former gang leader.

Prison spokesman Vernell Crittendon, speaking on behalf of the department says he suspects Williams is orchestrating gangland crimes from his cell. Williams, 51, has been behind bars since 1979, when he shot and killed four people during two robberies in Los Angeles. He has been on death row since 1981 and is set to die by injection Dec. 13 in what could be the biggest death-row cause in California since capital punishment was reinstated in 1978.

Williams' supporters contend he has made amends for his crimes, and they are pleading with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to spare his life. In prison, Williams has gained international acclaim for writing children's books about the dangers of gang life. He has been nominated repeatedly for the Nobel Peace Prize. He has also attracted a cadre of celebrity supporters, including Jamie Foxx, who played Williams in a TV movie, “MASH” actor Mike Farrell and rapper Snoop Dogg.