California Gov. Newsom's Death Row Reset Sparks Political Firestorm
The decision to spare 548 inmates is framed by critics as a partisan move that undermines law and order.
Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, decided to empty California's death row, sparing 548 death‑row inmates.
Criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos said the move was "impossible to view outside a political lens," and that "the move to spare 548 death‑row inmates could be viewed as a political move despite Newsom's history of trying to do \"the…\"", while appearing on NewsNation with host Jesse Weber.
Legal scholar Austin Sarat called the decision "a truly remarkable moment in the US's death penalty history," noting it will free hundreds and that it signals a weakening of America's attachment to capital punishment, as Newsom appears to be positioning for a national political future.
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Original reporting
The Guardian
We’ve just seen a transformative moment in America’s death penalty history | Austin Sarat
Gavin Newsom’s decision to empty California’s death row saves hundreds of lives and signals a national shift Gavin Newsom’s decision to empty his state’s death row is a truly remarkable moment in the US’s death penalty history. Not only will it free hundreds of people from the threat of execution, but coming from a politician seemingly looking to run for the presidency, it sends an important signal that America’s attachment to capital punishment is weakening, and opposing the death penalty is no longer a third rail in US politics. Continue reading...
Read the original →The Hill
Newsom death penalty move ‘impossible to view outside a political lens’: Geragos
California Criminal Defense Attorney Mark Geragos said Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D-Calif.) move to commute all death row sentences in his state was political. Geragos joined NewsNation’s Jesse Weber Thursday and said the California governor’s move to spare 548 death-row inmates could be viewed as a political move despite Newsom’s history of trying to do “the…
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Facts this version was allowed to use
- Gavin Newsom decided to empty California's death row.
- The decision spares 548 death-row inmates, according to The Hill.
- Mark Geragos said the move was "impossible to view outside a political lens," according to The Hill.
- Mark Geragos is a California criminal defense attorney.
- Gavin Newsom is the governor of California and a Democrat.
- Geragos said the move to spare 548 death-row inmates could be viewed as a political move despite Newsom's history of trying to do "the…", according to The Hill.
- Geragos appeared on NewsNation's program with Jesse Weber on Thursday, according to The Hill.
- Jesse Weber is a host on NewsNation.
- Austin Sarat wrote that Newsom's decision "is a truly remarkable moment in the US's death penalty history," according to The Guardian.
- According to The Guardian, the decision will free hundreds of people from the threat of execution.
- According to The Guardian, Newsom is a politician seemingly looking to run for the presidency.
- According to The Guardian, the decision sends a signal that America's attachment to capital punishment is weakening and that opposing the death penalty is no longer a third rail in US politics.
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