California death row sentences to be commuted to life without parole, Newsom says

CBS News · Cecilio Padilla · 2026-11-05 19:50 UTC

The move does not repeal California's death penalty or prevent prosecutors from seeking it in future cases.

Gov. Gavin Newsom says he will commute every current death sentence in California to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Newsom announced the decision Thursday in an open letter, saying he will use his constitutional clemency authority to commute the sentences of 548 people currently facing the death penalty.

"I take this action because I firmly believe that state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California's values, undermines the foundations of our legal system, and diminishes each of us," Newsom wrote.

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