# California Governor Commutes 548 Death Sentences

> California Governor Gavin Newsom commutes death sentences of 548 inmates to life without parole, sparking backlash from victims' families and support from civil rights groups.
- Title: California Governor Commutes 548 Death Sentences · Indiatimes
- Summary: California Governor Gavin Newsom commutes death sentences of 548 inmates to life without parole, sparking backlash from victims' families and support from…
- Keywords: california governor, gavin newsom, death row, commutation, life imprisonment, no parole, victims groups, aclu, capital punishment, death penalty, india, Indiatimes
- Source: Indiatimes — https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/california-governor-commutes-death-sentences-of-all-548-death-row-inmates/articleshow/135589027.cms
- Author: Subhadra Srivastava
- Published: 2026-11-05T23:09:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: california governor, gavin newsom, death row, commutation, life imprisonment, no parole, victims groups, aclu, capital punishment, death penalty, news, india
## California Governor Commutes Death Sentences
California Governor Gavin Newsom commutes death sentences of all 548 inmates on the state's death row to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
## Decision Follows Realization
Newsom described the move as a realization of 'the limits of what government can justly accomplish'.

> the limits of what government can justly accomplish
## 70% of Cases Require Court Approval
The California Supreme Court must approve clemency for 382 inmates, or about 70% of those affected, under state constitutional rules.
## 529 Men and 19 Women Affected
The commutations cover 529 men and 19 women, according to figures from Newsom's office.
## No Executions Since 2006
California has not carried out an execution since 2006, with the largest death row in the Western Hemisphere.
## Victims' Families Criticize
Victims' groups and prosecutors called the decision 'offensive', 'outrageous', and a 'sickening abuse of power'.
## ACLU Welcomes Commutation
The American Civil Liberties Union welcomed the decision, stating it reflects 'justice demands' for an end to a racist, error-prone punishment system.
## ACLU Challenges Death Penalty
The ACLU is challenging the state's death penalty statute, alleging racial discrimination and unconstitutionality.
## Newsom's Stance on Capital Punishment
Newsom has long opposed capital punishment, imposing a moratorium on executions in California in 2019.
## Newsom's Reasoning
Newsom stated that state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California's values and undermines the legal system.
## Political Context
California voters upheld capital punishment in ballot measures in 2012 and 2016, but no executions have occurred since 2006.
## Newsom's Future Plans
Newsom is preparing to leave office after eight years and considers a presidential run.
## Criticism from Victims
Steve Herr, whose son Sam was murdered in 2010, called Newsom 'an outright coward' and said, 'When somebody commits such a heinous crime, they do not deserve to live'.

> When somebody commits such a heinous crime, they do not deserve to live
## Legal Challenges
The ACLU is challenging the state's death penalty statute, alleging racial discrimination and unconstitutionality.
## Key takeaway

California Governor Gavin Newsom commutes death sentences of 548 death row inmates to life imprisonment without parole, facing criticism from victims' groups and ACLU support.