# Newsom Commutes 548 Death Sentences

> California governor Gavin Newsom commutes death sentences for 548 inmates to life without parole in largest mass commutation in modern U.S. history.
- Title: Newsom Commutes 548 Death Sentences · The Boston Globe
- Summary: California governor Gavin Newsom commutes death sentences for 548 inmates to life without parole in largest mass commutation in modern U.S. history.
- Keywords: gavin newsom, california death row, mass commutation, life without parole, death penalty, state court, The Boston Globe
- Source: The Boston Globe — https://bostonglobe.com/2026/11/05/nation/gavin-newsom-death-sentence-commutes
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: gavin newsom, california death row, mass commutation, life without parole, death penalty, state court, news, local
## Newsom Commutes 548 Death Sentences
California Governor Gavin Newsom commuted death sentences for 548 inmates to life without parole in the largest mass commutation in modern U.S. history.
## Reason for Commutation
Newsom stated capital punishment is morally objectionable and incompatible with California’s values, undermining legal system foundations and human decency.
## Legal Review Required
The commutation may require state court review in some cases and could face legal challenges over blanket commutation.
## Opposition to Move
Death penalty opponents and victim advocates argue commutation violates law and reopens cases with photos of executed prisoners.
## Key takeaway

California Governor Gavin Newsom commuted death sentences for 548 inmates to life without parole, the largest mass commutation in modern U.S. history.