By Julia Matias

The execution of Tookie Williams, co-founder of the Los Angeles Crips gang, sparked controversy last month from capital punishment opponents and supporters alike.

Two of his supporters and friends insisted Williams was innocent at a lecture held at the University Monday.

Phil Gasper, a philosophy professor at Notre Dame de Namir University and Barbara Becnel discussed the ethical and legal concerns of capital punishment and their personal experiences with the man, Tookie Williams.

“He truly did good in the world,” Becnel said. “Unfortunately, innocence doesn’t matter in the legal process.”

Williams was prosecuted for the murder of four people during two robberies in 1981 and was sentenced to death row. His lawyers petitioned for clemency in December 2005, but were denied by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He was executed on Dec. 13.

Williams wrote nine children’s books and a memoir, providing a step-by-step instruction against gangs, counseling youths and other works that encourage young students to take initiative.

Becnel, who co-authored children’s books with Williams, argued that his execution was unjustified. His efforts to educate young adults against violence and crime outweigh his wrongs, she said.

“Stan was an exceptional human being who had an incredible impact on so many people’s lives,” Gasper said.

Both argued that Williams deserved clemency and true justice, but the racism involved in his case was too prevalent. They also attacked the claim that death penalty by lethal injection was not cruel or unusual.

“Forty-two percent of people on death row [are] black,” Gasper said. “It’s a travesty of justice, a [violation] against rights.”

California has recently begun an investigation on its death penalty process due to the persistence of people such as Becnel and Gasper. All death row sentences are suspended until May to find out whether lethal injection is actually cruel or unusual.

“Death penalty is a racist process that tells people what life is valued and what life is not,” Becnel said. “It’s considered inhumane to kill horses and dogs with the same chemicals used in execution. Why is it not considered inhumane to use on people? It’s a 10 minute, torturous, horrible death.”

Barbara Becnel argues that lethal injection is cruel and unusual (Chronicle Staff Photo)