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Newsom Commutes All Death Sentences in California
Confirmed
In Short: California Governor Gavin Newsom has used his clemency authority to commute the death sentences of 548 individuals to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
In an open letter to constituents, Newsom announced Thursday that he would commute all death sentences in the state, a move he described as one of the most difficult decisions of his career.
Newsom cited his belief that state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California's values and undermines the legal system. He emphasized that he alone bears responsibility for this decision and its impact.
Newsom acknowledged the pain this decision would cause to victims' families, stating, 'This action will bring to a close these capital cases, some of which have been languishing in the courts for more than 40 years.'
The commutations follow Newsom's 2019 moratorium on executions, which halted executions but left the death sentences in place. This move clears California's death row for the first time since the state conducted hangings in the late 19th century.
Of the 548 individuals whose sentences are being commuted, 529 are men and 19 are women. Newsom noted that the decision reflects his understanding of the limits of what government can justly accomplish.
Newsom's decision is significant as it marks a major step away from capital punishment in the state. In his letter, he wrote, 'Today I am acting on my long and deeply held conviction that individually and collectively we are stronger as a society when we reject state-sanctioned killing.'
The California Constitution requires the state Supreme Court’s approval before the governor can commute the sentence of anyone with more than one felony conviction. The court will have the final say in hundreds of these cases.
In 2024, President Joe Biden also granted clemency to 37 out of 40 federal prisoners sentenced to death, aligning with a broader trend of reconsidering the use of capital punishment.
What this adds
Newsom's decision to commute all death sentences is a significant shift in California's approach to capital punishment, reflecting a broader national trend towards reconsidering the use of the death penalty.
What's confirmed
- "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," Newsom said in a letter.
- "As Governor, I alone bear responsibility for this decision and its impact, just as I alone would bear responsibility for each execution," Newsom wrote.
- Newsom's decision comes as he prepares to leave office after eight years.
- Newsom said the decision was among the most difficult choices of his career because it will surface painful memories for crime victims' families.
- "After nearly 30 years in public office, I have come to understand the limits of what government can justly accomplish," Newsom said.
- Newsom announced the decision Thursday in an open letter, saying he will use his constitutional clemency authority to commute the sentences of 548 people currently facing the death penalty.
- "Many Californians feel that those who commit brutal crimes deserve to die. But as Governor, I have concluded the state cannot morally kill them," Newsom wrote.
- Gov. Gavin Newsom is commuting the death sentences of 548 people, clearing the California death row for the first time since the state conducted hangings in the late 19th century.
- California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday said he would commute all 548 death sentences in the state to life in prison without parole, marking a major step away from capital punishment as he prepares to leave office after eight years.
- Read more California Governor Newsom says Trump ordered investigation into him and his wife California voters rejected a ballot measure in 2016 that would have repealed the death penalty in the state.
- 17, 2006 when Clarence Ray Allen was put to death by lethal injection.
- In 2024, President Joe Biden also granted clemency to 37 out of 40 federal prisoners sentenced to death.
What's still developing
- Four people on California’s condemned inmate list were sentenced in Monterey County: Kristin William Hughes, 65, was sentenced to death in Monterey County on Oct.
- Gavin Newsom commutes all death sentences in California Martha Stewart responded Sunday to backlash about her Halloween costume, saying she was “distressed” to learn that her outfit, which depicted a “hungry” homeless person, had caused offense.