Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that he will use his clemency power to commute the death sentences of 548 people to life in prison without the possibility of parole, CBS Sacramento reported.
Newsom made the announcement in an open letter. CBS described the commutations as planned and did not report that any had yet taken effect.
Some cases will require review by the California Supreme Court, because the state constitution requires court approval of clemency for anyone convicted of more than one felony.
The move does not repeal California’s death penalty. Prosecutors can still seek it in future cases.
Newsom wrote that he believes the state “cannot morally kill” those convicted, while acknowledging that many Californians support capital punishment.
Voters have weighed in on the question repeatedly.
They rejected repeal measures in 2012 (Proposition 34) and 2016 (Proposition 62), and in 2016 narrowly approved Proposition 66, which was intended to speed up death penalty cases.
Newsom imposed a moratorium on executions in 2019. California last carried out an execution in 2006.
The announcement would make that pause permanent for the 548 people it covers, subject to the required court reviews.
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