{
  "id": 18366461,
  "title": "California Gov. Newsom says he will commute all death sentences in state to life without parole",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/california-gov-newsom-says-he-will-commute-all-death-sentences-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T19:54:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CityNews",
    "slug": "citynews",
    "url": "https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/11/05/california-gov-newsom-says-he-will-commute-all-death-sentences-in-state-to-life-without-parole/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Thursday that he will commute all death sentences in the state to life in prison without the possibility of parole. This decision comes as Newsom prepares to leave office after eight years. In 2019, he implemented a moratorium on executions in the state, but hundreds of individuals remained on death row. In a letter, Newsom stated that he believes state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California's values, undermines the foundations of the legal system, and diminishes each person. He moved to grant clemency to 548 individuals currently sentenced to death in California, with 529 being men and 19 being women. The state constitution requires approval from the California Supreme Court for clemency in cases involving multiple felony convictions, meaning 382 of the commutations would need court approval, approximately 70%. Newsom acknowledged that this decision was among the most challenging of his career due to the potential emotional impact on crime victims' families. He bore sole responsibility for this decision and its consequences, just as he would for any executions. The American Civil Liberties Union, which has criticized the death penalty for racial bias, applauded the announcement. The ACLU is currently contesting California's death penalty statute, arguing that it is racially discriminatory and unconstitutional. Newsom has previously expressed his belief that it is morally wrong for the government to kill its citizens and has noted that capital punishment has disproportionately affected mentally ill individuals and people of color.",
  "summary": "SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday that he’ll change all death sentences in the state to life in prison without the possibility of parole.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/18366461.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 10,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Guardian US",
        "title": "Gavin Newsom commutes more than 500 death sentences in California",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/gavin-newsom-commutes-more-than-500-death-sentences-in-california",
        "published": "2026-11-05T19:28:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "California governor to spare lives of all 548 death row prisoners in the state",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/california-governor-to-spare-lives-of-all-548-death-row-prisoners-in",
        "published": "2026-11-05T19:43:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "California governor to spare lives of all 548 death row prisoners in the state",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/california-governor-to-spare-lives-of-all-548-death-row-prisoners-in-18359173",
        "published": "2026-11-05T19:43:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "'Inhumane punishment': California governor Gavin Newsom to commute 548 death sentences",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/inhumane-punishment-california-governor-gavin-newsom-to-commute-548",
        "published": "2026-11-05T19:59:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Global News",
        "title": "Gavin Newsom says he will commute all death sentences in California to life",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/gavin-newsom-says-he-will-commute-all-death-sentences-in-california",
        "published": "2026-11-05T20:00:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Gavin Newsom commutes sentences of all death row inmates in California",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/gavin-newsom-commutes-sentences-of-all-death-row-inmates-in-california",
        "published": "2026-11-05T20:04:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "PBS NewsHour",
        "title": "Newsom says he will commute all 548 of California's death sentences to life without parole",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/newsom-says-he-will-commute-all-548-of-californias-death-sentences-to",
        "published": "2026-11-05T20:07:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC News",
        "title": "California governor commutes death sentences for all 548 people on death row",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/california-governor-commutes-death-sentences-for-all-548-people-on",
        "published": "2026-11-05T20:12:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Newsom moves to commute all California death sentences",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/newsom-moves-to-commute-all-california-death-sentences",
        "published": "2026-11-05T20:12:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}