# Polly Klaas Father Criticizes Newsom Over Death Row Commutations

> California's death row commutations face backlash from victim families.
- Title: Polly Klaas Father Criticizes Newsom Over Death Row…
- Summary: California's death row commutations face backlash from victim families. Polly Klaas' father says Gov. Newsom's potential mass death row commutations betray…
- Keywords: polly klaas, gavin newsom, california, death row, commutation, victim families, moral stance, news, politics, Polly, Klaas, Father
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/us/baby-killers-cop-killers-ally-newsom-murdered-girls-father-says-death-row-controversy
- Author: Louis Casiano
- Published: 2026-10-28T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: polly klaas, gavin newsom, california, death row, commutation, victim families, moral stance, news, politics
## Polly Klaas' father criticizes Newsom
Marc Klaas, father of Polly Klaas, criticizes Gov. Newsom's potential mass death row commutations as a betrayal of crime victims and voters.

> Baby killers, cop killers, spree killers and serial killers have all found an ally in Gavin Newsom
## Newsom's death penalty moratorium
Newsom placed a moratorium on executions and dismantled San Quentin's execution chamber in his first year as governor.
## Death row commutation plan
Newsom reportedly considers commuting California's 563 death row inmates to life without parole in his final weeks in office.
## Law enforcement opposition
Law enforcement officials and prosecutors statewide oppose the commutations, calling it a betrayal of California voters' death penalty decisions.
## Victim family perspective
Polly Klaas' killer, Richard Allen Davis, remains on death row, and families argue commutations deny justice through jury and judge recommendations.
## Statewide opposition
Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes and San Luis Obispo District Attorney Dan Dow warn commutations would be a 'slap in the face' to murder victims and families.

> Justice is always individualized. It depends on the particular facts and circumstances of each crime, each defendant, and each victim
## Klaas' call to action
Klaas urges Newsom to address homelessness, high utility rates, and gas prices instead of death row commutations.
## Key takeaway

Polly Klaas' father says Gov. Newsom's potential mass death row commutations betray crime victims.