Gavin Newsom commutes death sentences of 548 California inmates
Gavin Newsom has commuted death penalties to life imprisonment (Image: Apu Gomes/Getty Images) California Governor Gavin Newsom has commuted the death sentences of 548 prisoners across the state. The move means those on death row will no longer face execution, but will instead serve life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. In an open letter, Newsom stated he felt unable to "morally kill" the inmates. This comes despite the Democrat acknowledging the prisoners had inflicted "indescribable suffering" upon their "victims, their families, communities and out state as a whole". The Governor characterised the decision to alter the sentences as the "most difficult" of his political career. Yet the gesture is viewed by some as largely symbolic, given California hasn't carried out any executions since 2006. A mere 13 prisoners have been put to death in the state since electors reinstated capital punishment in 1978. Newsom is presently term-limited and in his final two months in office, reports Yorkshire Live . Fellow Democrat Xavier Becerra is the incoming governor of California following Tuesday's midterm elections. In his open letter, Newsom wrote: "After nearly 30 years in public office, I have come to understand the limits of what government can justly accomplish." Newsom's term ends in January (Image: Jason Henry/Bloomberg via Getty Images) "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 dimishes each of us." He continued by asserting his belief that the state cannot carry out executions within an "imperfect legal system" while remaining "true to our vore values". Newsom revealed he has spent the last 30 years publicly opposing the death penalty. He stated that California holds the "largest death row in the Western Hemisphere", adding that he believes the California justice system has previously led to the "conviction of innocent people". The 59-year-old described life imprisonment without the possibility of parole as the "most severe punishment" that could be imposed on inmates, adding: "These offenders will die in prison but not by out hands." He explained that all capital cases will now be closed, noting that some have taken more than four decades to reach a resolution. Newsom wrote: "I acknowledge that this finality may bring comfort to some victims, but finality is now closure, something many victims have told me they never experience after a shattering crime." He concluded that his clemency decision will provoke anger among some Californians, acknowledging it is a move that will "always weight heavily on me". Individual states across the US hold the authority to prosecute criminals and order executions. This means that much of the responsibility concerning the death penalty rests with the state governor. Capital punishment currently remains a legal option in 27 US states, while 23 have abolished it entirely. Ensure our latest stories always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
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