Newsom Just Commuted Every Death Sentence in California — All 548 of Them
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that he is commuting all 548 death sentences in California to life in prison without the possibility of parole, in what supporters describe as the largest mass commutation in U.S. history.
The commutations affect 529 men and 19 women on the largest death row in the Western Hemisphere — about a quarter of all death sentences nationwide, according to the Equal Justice Initiative. The Death Penalty Information Center called the action the largest mass clemency in American history.
In an open letter to Californians, Newsom said he took the action because he firmly believes “state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California’s values, undermines the foundations of our legal system, and diminishes each of us.” He called the decision one of the “most difficult” of his career and said “the state cannot morally kill them” while honoring victims.
About one-third of the commutations can take effect on the governor’s own authority after 10 days’ notice to victims’ families and district attorneys. The other roughly two-thirds — 382 cases involving prisoners with more than one felony conviction — require review and approval by the California Supreme Court under the state Constitution.
Victims’ families and prosecutors sharply criticized the decision and said they will challenge it in court. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Newsom has the authority to commute sentences but cannot eliminate the death penalty. Critics also pointed to the timing of the announcement, two days after the election. Newsom, who is termed out and leaves office in January, is said to be considering a run for president in 2028.
The action does not repeal the death penalty in California and applies only to current sentences. Newsom imposed a moratorium on executions in 2019, and the state has not executed anyone since 2006. Thirteen people have been executed in California since 1976.
Death row includes notorious inmates such as Richard Allen Davis, who kidnapped and killed 12-year-old Polly Klaas in 1993, Charles Ng, and Randy Kraft, USA Today reported.
Photo: California Gov. Gavin Newsom in his 2026 official portrait. Credit: Office of the Governor of California, via Wikimedia Commons.
