Newsom plans to commute California’s death sentences

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday that he plans to change every death sentence in the state to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The proposal covers 548 people, according to figures from the governor’s office reported by the Associated Press. His office said 382 of the proposed commutations would require action by the California Supreme Court.

How the court review works

Article V of the California Constitution gives the governor authority to commute sentences. For people twice convicted of a felony, the governor first needs a recommendation from the state Supreme Court, with at least four justices concurring. The governor must also report each commutation he grants to the Legislature.

A commutation changes the punishment and leaves the conviction in place. In the cases Newsom described, it would replace the death sentence with imprisonment for life without parole. Newsom imposed a moratorium on executions in 2019. California last carried out an execution in 2006, and voters rejected measures to repeal the death penalty in 2012 and 2016.

Prosecutors and victims’ relatives respond

In a letter announcing the plan, Newsom said he opposed the state carrying out executions and acknowledged that the decision could reopen painful experiences for victims’ families. The California District Attorneys Association said the plan disregards decisions made by juries and judges and would cause additional pain for some families.

The AP reported differing views among victims’ relatives. Jess Nichol, whose sister Polly Klaas was murdered, said she had come to see executions as a distraction from what survivors need. Steve Herr, whose son Sam was murdered, told the AP he opposed the decision and believed the execution would bring him closure.