Gavin Newsom commutes all 548 California death sentences in historic decision

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Thursday, Nov. 5, his plans to commute every death sentence in the state.

The historic decision would spare 548 prisoners from execution and replace their sentences with life imprisonment without parole.

The move represents the largest mass clemency effort in American history.

Newsom said the decision reflects his longstanding opposition to capital punishment and concerns about fairness within the criminal justice system.

“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 wrote in an open letter .

However, he acknowledged that the decision ranks among the toughest of his career, not because he questions its merits, but because it could reopen painful memories for victims’ families.

“I deeply respect the views of those who will strongly disagree with my decision, including some families of victims who have suffered the worst possible loss. I hold this painful truth along with the belief that this is a righteous action. 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,” Newsom said.

California Death Row Prisoners Will Remain Incarcerated

Newsom said the commutations will not overturn criminal convictions, grant pardons or release prisoners.

Instead, all 548 individuals would serve life sentences without the possibility of parole.

However, California law requires additional review for prisoners with multiple felony convictions.

The Associated Press reported that the California Supreme Court must approve 382 commutations before those sentences can change.

Newsom has submitted the necessary request to the court. Existing restitution orders will remain in place until approved.

Newsom Cites Racial Disparities and Wrongful Convictions

Newsom has repeatedly criticized California’s death penalty system, citing racial disparities, wrongful convictions and excessive costs.

In March 2019, he imposed a statewide moratorium on executions.

California last executed a prisoner in 2006, despite maintaining the nation’s largest death-row population.

Furthermore, the Death Penalty Information Center reported that Newsom’s decision could reduce the nation’s death-row population by nearly 30%.

Decision Draws Praise and Criticism

Civil rights advocates welcomed Newsom’s announcement, calling it a significant step toward eliminating capital punishment.

The Legal Defense Fund praised Newsom’s decision, calling it a historic step toward ending capital punishment in California. Janai Nelson, the organization’s president and director-counsel, urged other governors to follow his example.

However, some prosecutors, law enforcement organizations and some victims’ families strongly opposed the move.

The Peace Officers Research Association of California argued that the decision disregards victims’ suffering and previous court judgments.

Some families also questioned whether the commutations would undermine accountability for violent crimes.

Death Penalty Remains Legal in California

Despite Newsom’s announcement, California has not abolished capital punishment.

Voters rejected proposals to repeal the death penalty in 2012 and 2016.

Therefore, courts can still impose death sentences under existing state law.

Newsom’s announcement comes during his final months in office, before his term ends in January.

The California Supreme Court’s review will determine whether hundreds of the proposed commutations can take effect.