California Governor Commutes Death Sentences for 548 Inmates
A Thursday announcement adds to a 2019 moratorium, sparking debate over law and order and constitutional limits.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on a Thursday that he is commuting the death sentences of all 548 inmates on the state's death row to life without parole, a decision that follows his 2019 moratorium on executions.
The outgoing governor noted the list of 548 people, while the state constitution, according to a New York Post report, bars commutations of anyone twice convicted of a felony unless the California Supreme Court recommends it with four justices concurring.
Governor‑elect Xavier Becerra will inherit a state with the largest death row in the Western Hemisphere, a situation that families such as Phyllis Loya, mother of slain officer Larry Lasater, see as a test of law and order.
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Original reporting
Washington Examiner
Newsom commutes executions for all 548 California inmates on death row
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) is commuting the death sentences for all 548 inmates on death row in California, he announced Thursday. Newsom’s clemency act comes in the final months of his position as governor, before Gov.-elect Xavier Becerra (D-CA) takes over the helm of the state. The outgoing governor said the list of 548 people […]
Read the original →NPR
Newsom announces he will commute sentences of inmates on California's death row
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he's commuting the sentences of all inmates on the state's Death Row. The governor says at 548 people, it's the largest death row in the Western Hemisphere.
Read the original →PBS News
Newsom plans to commute all of California's death sentences
California Gov. Gavin Newsom commuted the state's entire death row population to life in prison without parole. The decision could grant clemency to 548 people. Newsom had previously put a moratorium on executions in the state in 2019, but left hundreds on death row. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Robin Maher of the Death Penalty Information Center.
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Facts this version was allowed to use
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced he is commuting the death sentences of all inmates on California's death row to life in prison without parole.
- The decision covers 548 people on death row.
- Gavin Newsom is the governor of California.
- Newsom previously imposed a moratorium on executions in California in 2019 but left hundreds on death row.
- Amna Nawaz discussed the decision with Robin Maher of the Death Penalty Information Center.
- Newsom announced the commutations on a Thursday, according to the Washington Examiner.
- Xavier Becerra is the governor-elect of California and is to take over as governor.
- The outgoing governor said the list of 548 people [...]
- According to Newsom, at 548 people California has the largest death row in the Western Hemisphere.
- According to the New York Post, the state constitution bars commutations of anyone twice convicted of a felony unless the California Supreme Court recommends it with four justices concurring.
- Phyllis Loya is the mother of Larry Lasater.
- Larry Lasater was shot and killed on April 23, 2005, while working as a police officer in Pittsburg, California.
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