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California Governor Gavin Newsom commutes all 548 death sentences
California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the commutation of death sentences for all 548 inmates currently on death row. The sentences will be changed to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
In an open letter, Newsom stated that state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California’s values and undermines the legal system. He noted that the state has not carried out an execution since January 17, 2006. While the move affects all current death row inmates, it does not abolish the death penalty in California; prosecutors and juries may still seek and impose death sentences in future cases.
The decision faces potential legal hurdles, as the California Supreme Court must approve commutations for inmates with multiple felony convictions. Local officials and prosecutors have criticized the move. Merced County District Attorney Nicole Silveira called it an “unprecedented abuse of power,” and Riverside County District Attorney Michael A. Hestrin vowed to continue seeking the death penalty in appropriate cases.
Entities
California · Gavin Newsom · Michael A. Hestrin · Nicole Silveira · Stephan Gray · Tao Rivera
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 8 SOURCES] Governor Gavin Newsom commuted the death sentences of all 548 inmates on California's death row. nypost.com · abc30.com · www.hawaiitribune-herald.com · crimeresearch.org · wavepublication.com · +3 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The California Supreme Court must approve more than half of the commutations because the inmates have multiple felony convictions. www.hawaiitribune-herald.com · thebeltwayreport.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] California has not executed anyone since January 17, 2006. wavepublication.com · cubaenresumen.org
- [● 2 SOURCES] The decision does not abolish the death penalty in California. wavepublication.com · www.hawaiitribune-herald.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Tao Rivera was convicted of the fatal shooting of Merced Police Officer Stephan Gray. abc30.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The commuted sentences change the punishment to life in prison without the possibility of parole. abc30.com · wavepublication.com · www.hawaiitribune-herald.com · www.notiulti.com · thebeltwayreport.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Riverside County District Attorney Michael A. Hestrin vowed to continue seeking the death penalty in appropriate cases. www.hawaiitribune-herald.com · www.notiulti.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Merced County District Attorney Nicole Silveira called the decision an unprecedented abuse of power. abc30.com