California Gov. Newsom commutes all death sentences in the state

California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced he will commute all 548 death sentences in the state to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. This move ensures that these individuals, who have been on death row, can never be executed under future administrations. Newsom stated his decision is based on the belief that "state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California’s values." The action comes as he prepares to leave office after eight years and follows a 2019 moratorium on executions he had previously imposed. Critics argue this circumvents public will, while supporters see it as a moral stance against the death penalty's perceived racial bias and inaccuracy. Approximately 382 of these commutations will now be reviewed by the California Supreme Court for approval.