California prosecutors criticize Newsom's commutation of 548 death row sentences

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced he is commuting the sentences of 548 death row inmates to life in prison without the possibility of parole. District attorneys and law enforcement unions across California have publicly condemned the move, and one prosecutor called it a slap in the face to victims' families. Anti-death penalty advocates have praised the decision. In an open letter, Newsom wrote that state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California's values and undermines the legal system. He has said he issued an executive moratorium on capital punishment when he took office in 2019, and California has not carried out an execution since 2006. San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow said the decision was about politics. San Diego Police Officers Association president Lt. Jared Wilson called it awful, citing the case of Jesse Michael Gomez, sentenced to death for the 2016 murder of San Diego police officer Jonathan "J.D." De Guzman. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman noted that voters twice rejected ballot measures to abolish the death penalty. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said 127 of the inmates were sentenced for crimes committed in his county.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer called the commutations mercy for the wolves. Hochman said his office will continue to evaluate death penalty-eligible cases until the law changes.