California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday he will commute all 548 death sentences in the state, converting them to life without parole. The move drew immediate public condemnation from at least a dozen district attorneys across California, setting up a legal clash over executive power.
Newsom said state-sanctioned killing conflicts with California's values. But 382 of the cases require approval from at least four California Supreme Court justices—a threshold prosecutors argue limits his authority.
Prosecuting attorneys say the action overrides jury decisions, disregards victims' families, and defies the will of state voters who have backed capital punishment. They are signaling a court fight.
Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho said, "Justice requires case-by-case consideration, not one-size-fits-all decisions."
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer called the commutations "mercy for the wolves" and said the move inflicts "the ultimate act of cruelty on the sheep." He flagged rules implemented by California's Board of Parole Hearings on Oct. 1 that allow thousands of prisoners serving life without parole to become eligible for parole. Spitzer argued Newsom's death row commutations could place these inmates closer to release.
Newsom's office countered that affected prisoners will remain incarcerated and are not eligible for release under the new policy.
San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson accused Newsom of prioritizing politics over victims. "The governor is attempting to appear courageous with this decision. He is not courageous. His commutations are solely based upon power and political aspirations," Anderson said.
Anderson said real courage would mean speaking with crime victims and surviving family members. He cited the case of Kevin Coo convicted of killing Josh Ryen's parents and sister, along with Ryen's friend Chris Hughes, and leaving Ryen for dead. Newsom did not contact Ryen or Hughes' mother, Mary Ann Hughes, about a potential commutation, Anderson said. Ryen has not received a call from the governor.
District attorneys are also signaling they will challenge Newsom's action under Marsy's Law, California's victim's rights initiative, arguing he has overstepped his constitutional authority.
