California Governor Gavin Newsom said Thursday that he will change all death sentences in the state to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
“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 said in a letter to Californians.
There are 548 people on death row in California.
The outgoing governor added in the letter that he has long opposed the death penalty and issued a moratorium on executions in 2019.
The California state constitution requires the California Supreme Court’s approval to grant clemency to anyone convicted of a felony more than once, which means the court would have to approve 382 of those commutations, or roughly 70%, according to numbers provided by Newsom’s office.
Newsom’s announcement also comes after the failed execution of Christa Pike renewed scrutiny of the death penalty.
Newsom acknowledges ‘difficulty’ of decision
Newsom, who is rumored to be considering a run for president in 2028, said the decision was among the most difficult choices of his career because it will surface painful memories for crime victims’ families.
“As Governor, I alone bear responsibility for this decision and its impact, just as I alone would bear responsibility for each execution,” Newsom wrote.
He acknowledged that Californians had voted to keep the death penalty. In 2016, 53% of people rejected a ballot measure that would have abolished the death penalty in the state.
“But the constitution also gave every governor clemency authority, and that power exists for moments when law as applied cannot be squared with justice,” Newsom said. “For me, this is that moment.”
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), who has said the implementation of the death penalty reflects racial bias, applauded the announcement.
“These commutations reflect what justice demands: an end to a racist, error-prone, and inhumane punishment that has burdened California for far too long,” said Anthony Romero, the executive director of ACLU.
In 2025, 17 countries carried out a total of at least 2,707 executions, according to Amnesty International.
Source: www.dw.com
