California Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to replace 548 death sentences with life imprisonment without parole, a clemency proposal that cannot take effect until state legal requirements are met.
Newsom announced the plan Thursday, Nov. 5. His office’s fact sheet counts 529 men and 19 women among those covered. The state’s clemency page says the changes await completion of legal steps.
One of those steps concerns 382 people who have more than one felony conviction. Newsom has asked the California Supreme Court for the constitutionally required review of those 382 cases. Under the state constitution, at least four justices must agree before the governor can commute their sentences.
The proposed commutations would replace execution with life sentences that carry no possibility of parole. Those affected would stay in prison, and neither their convictions nor their restitution orders would change.
Newsom said the plan reflects his belief that “state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California’s values.” His office also highlighted delays in securing lawyers for state habeas proceedings. Its fact sheet lists 378 cases involving 376 people awaiting the appointment or funding of counsel. Of those people, 220 have waited at least 15 years, including 139 who have waited at least 20 years.
California’s most recent execution was Jan. 17, 2006. Newsom imposed an execution moratorium in 2019, withdrew the state’s lethal-injection protocol and closed San Quentin’s execution chamber. His filing cites at least 24 grants by governors across multiple states that covered all or nearly all death sentences in their jurisdictions.
San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson opposed the plan, calling it “the wrong decision.” He said he was unaware of victims’ family members receiving notice. Newsom’s office says advocates are working to contact affected victims, survivors and next of kin and provide support. Registered victims are to be notified when the commutations take effect.
The proposed sentences remain pending while the California Supreme Court considers the 382 cases.