Newsom Commutes Sentences for All 548 Death Row Inmates

California Governor Gavin Newsom commuted the sentences of 548 individuals on death row on Thursday. The executive action replaces their death sentences with life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Newsom made the announcement in an open letter to residents as he prepares to leave office on January 4.

Newsom, a longtime opponent of capital punishment, cited his belief that state-sanctioned killing conflicts with California’s values. He noted that the state has not executed a prisoner since January 17, 2006. In 2019, he issued an executive order that placed a moratorium on executions. He stated that the state cannot morally kill people within its imperfect legal system.

The governor acknowledged that his decision does not repeal the death penalty for future cases. He wrote that the power to abolish the practice remains with the Legislature and voters. He also noted that the California Constitution requires the state Supreme Court to review clemency grants for those twice-convicted of a felony. This requirement compels the justices to participate in a constitutional review process that Newsom described as unique and weighty.

Anthony Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, praised the move. He said the commutations end a punishment that is racist, error-prone, and inhumane. Romero argued that the risk of execution has long been predictable based on race, geography, and politics. Chandra Bhatnagar, executive director of the ACLU of Southern California, said the action rejects a broken and biased system.

Prosecutors in major counties voiced immediate dissent. Todd Spitzer, the Orange County District Attorney, called the decision mercy for the wolves while inflicting cruelty on the sheep. He stated his office will continue to pursue the death penalty in heinous cases. He argued that voters have repeatedly upheld the penalty and that the governor does not represent the people of California in this instance.

Nathan Hochman, the Los Angeles County District Attorney, also said his office will continue to evaluate death penalty-eligible cases with rigor. He emphasized that his team is guided by facts, law, and evidence. Bill Essayli, First Assistant U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles, criticized the move on social media. He called it a major blow to Californians and victims’ families, noting that voters have consistently supported the death penalty.

Victims’ families expressed mixed reactions. Steve Herr, whose son Sam was killed by inmate Daniel Wozniak in 2010, described his anger at the decision. He said the commutation reopens wounds and overrides the wishes of the people. Herr noted that Wozniak currently enjoys computer use and television in prison. He described his son’s killer as living a life of luxury.

Ricardo Garcia, the Los Angeles County Public Defender, hailed the decision as a move toward a justice system that values human dignity. He stated that public defenders see the injustice of the criminal legal system firsthand. He emphasized that clemency is not leniency and that the death penalty falls hardest on people of color and the poor. He noted that Los Angeles County has sentenced more people to death than any other county in the state.

Scott Sanders, the defense attorney for Wozniak, said the move is an incredible moment for those who fought for it. He explained that the shortage of specialized attorneys caused long delays in appeals. He said those lawyers can now work on other cases where they are needed. Sanders disputed the idea that inmates would be released early, stating that none are getting out on parole.

Orange County has 51 inmates on death row. The new governor, Xavier Becerra, will take office on January 4. Newsom’s term ends on the same date.