Gov. Newsom commutes all 548 death sentences in California ahead of leaving office

Gov. Gavin Newsom has moved to clear death row in California before he leaves office.

He announced on Thursday that he plans to commute every death sentence to life in prison without parole in a decision affecting 548 inmates who are currently on death row in the state.

The move comes as Newsom prepares to conclude his eight-year tenure as governor. He enacted an execution moratorium in 2019, yet hundreds remained condemned.

"I take this action because I firmly believe that state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California’s values, undermines the foundations of our legal system, and diminishes each of us," Newsom said in a letter.

Under the state constitution, approval from the California Supreme Court is required to grant clemency to anyone convicted of multiple felonies.

Newsom said the decision was among his hardest as governor and acknowledged that it will bring back painful memories for crime victims’ families.

"As Governor, I alone bear responsibility for this decision and its impact, just as I alone would bear responsibility for each execution," Newsom wrote.