Gavin Newsom commutes more than 500 death sentences in California
Democrat’s move prevents these people from executions under future governors, after Christa Pike’s failed execution
TL;DR
- California Governor Gavin Newsom commuted the death sentences of 529 men and 19 women.
- All death sentences in California are now commuted to life without parole.
- This is the largest clearing of a US death row in modern history.
- Newsom stated that state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California's values.
- The governor previously issued a moratorium on executions in 2019.
- Hundreds of people on death row had waited years for legal representation.
- Advocates for the death penalty abolition praised the decision.
- Victims' family members also supported the commutations, citing that execution does not equate to healing or public safety.