Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Nov. 5 that he intends to commute the death sentences of all 548 inmates on California’s death row to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The sweeping decision would effectively eliminate the state’s death row without abolishing capital punishment.
The commutations must undergo a legal review process before taking effect. Under the California Constitution, the state Supreme Court must recommend clemency for 382 of the inmates who have been convicted of more than one felony.
In an open letter to Californians, Newsom said the decision reflected his longstanding opposition to capital punishment and his belief that the death penalty is incompatible with the state’s legal and moral values…