California Governor Commutes All 548 Death Row Sentences

UPDATE - follow-up to California governor commutes sentences for state's 548 death row inmates: California Governor Gavin Newsom has changed the sentences of all 548 inmates on the state's death row to life in prison without the chance of parole.

Reactions And Details

Newsom stated in a letter that state-killing does not fit California values and that the system has failed. The move could save millions in court costs each year, though California has not executed anyone since 2006 and only 13 inmates have been put to death since 1978. Anthony D Romero of the American Civil Liberties Union praised the action, while Los Angeles County top prosecutor Nathan Hochman noted that voters previously chose to keep the death penalty on ballots. At least four of seven California Supreme Court judges must sign off on the commutations.

Context

State governors in the United States hold wide authority over criminal punishments and clemency powers within their respective states. This major policy step marks one of the final acts of Newsom's term as governor before it ends in January.