California Governor Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that he will commute all death sentences in the state to life in prison without the possibility of parole. This decision affects the 548 individuals currently on death row.
Newsom stated in a letter that he takes this action because he believes "state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California’s values, undermines the foundations of our legal system, and diminishes each of us." He acknowledged the decision's difficulty and its potential to resurface painful memories for victims’ families, taking personal responsibility for its impact.
The governor previously placed a moratorium on executions in 2019. The California Supreme Court’s approval is required to grant clemency to individuals convicted of a felony more than once, according to the state constitution.
In 2016, California voters rejected a ballot measure that sought to repeal the death penalty. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) applauded Newsom's announcement, with Executive Director Anthony Romero stating, "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 involved in an ongoing legal challenge alleging that California's death penalty statute is racially discriminatory and unconstitutional.