Newsom spares 548 inmates from death row with blanket commutation

548 California inmates on death row will no longer face execution. Governor Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that he is commuting every current capital sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. This action applies to all individuals currently facing the death penalty in the state.

Newsom explained his reasoning in an open letter, stating, "I take this action because I firmly believe that state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California's values, undermines the foundations of our legal system, and diminishes each of us." He characterized life without parole as the most severe punishment available under his clemency authority.

The move does not abolish the death penalty in California. Prosecutors retain the power to seek capital punishment in new cases, and juries can still return death verdicts. Newsom noted that these decisions remain with the legal system. He acknowledged the political divide, writing, "Many Californians feel that those who commit brutal crimes deserve to die. But as Governor, I have concluded the state cannot morally kill them."

Voters have historically supported keeping the death penalty. In 2012, they rejected Proposition 34, which would have ended capital punishment. Four years later, they blocked Proposition 62 and narrowly approved Proposition 66, a measure designed to speed up death penalty proceedings. Newsom began halting executions shortly after taking office in 2019. The state has not executed anyone since 2006.

Legal complexities remain for some of the 548 cases. The state constitution requires court approval for clemency when a person has been convicted of more than one felony. Consequently, the California Supreme Court must review specific commutations before they are finalized.