California governor commutes death sentences of 548 death row inmates

California Governor Gavin Newsom has moved to commute the death sentences of all 548 inmates on the state's death row to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. However, the California Supreme Court will have the final say in 382 of the cases. “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 public letter on Thursday. The decision comes as Newsom prepares to leave office after eight years and considers a presidential run. A long-standing opponent of capital punishment, he imposed a moratorium on executions in California in 2019. His latest move followed what he described as a realisation of “the limits of what government can justly accomplish”. According to figures provided by Newsom's office, the commutations cover 529 men and 19 women. Under the state constitution, the California Supreme Court must approve clemency for anyone convicted of a felony more than once. This applies to 382 inmates, or about 70% of those affected.

California voters upheld capital punishment in ballot measures in 2012 and 2016. However, no execution has taken place in the state since 2006. California has the largest death row in the Western Hemisphere. Newsom said the decision was among the most difficult choices of his career because of its impact on victims' families. “As Governor, I alone bear responsibility for this decision and its impact, just as I alone would bear responsibility for each execution,” he wrote, according to news agency AP. The move drew criticism from victims' groups and prosecutors. Patricia Wenskunas, founder of the nonprofit Crime Survivors, called it “offensive” and “outrageous”. Steve Herr, whose son Sam was murdered in 2010, said he was “absolutely disgusted”. “When somebody commits such a heinous crime, they do not deserve to live,” he said, calling Newsom “an outright coward”. San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow described the move as a “sickening abuse of power”. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer also condemned it. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), however, welcomed the decision. Its executive director, Anthony Romero, said: “These commutations reflect what justice demands: an end to a racist, error-prone, and inhumane punishment that has burdened California for far too long.” The ACLU is challenging the state's death penalty statute, alleging racial discrimination and unconstitutionality.