Gavin Newsom commutes California's 548 death sentences to life without parole
Briefing by News4U · First published
California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday commuted the sentences of all 548 people on the state's death row to life in prison without the possibility of parole, described as the largest clearing of any U.S. death row in modern history. The Democrat, who imposed a moratorium on executions in 2019, said state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California's values. California has not executed an inmate since 2006. The California Supreme Court must still approve clemency for people convicted of multiple felonies. Newsom is leaving office after eight years, with Democrat Xavier Becerra projected to succeed him. [1] [2]
Sources
- Gavin Newsom commutes more than 500 death sentences in California
The Guardian · · Full text
- BBC World: 2026-11-05T19:43:50.157Z
BBC World · · Excerpt