Newsom Will Consider Commuting Death Row Sentences
The California governor is evaluating mass commutations for death row inmates before he leaves office in early 2027.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Criminal Justice
Governor Gavin Newsom is weighing the potential commutation of death sentences for California's 563 inmates on death row. The governor, who opposes capital punishment, discussed the possibility on his podcast ahead of his departure from office in January 2027.
Why it matters
The move aligns with the governor's long-standing opposition to the death penalty, building on his previous actions to dismantle the state's death row and enact an execution moratorium. Newsom has increased focus on these commutations following recent capital punishment controversies elsewhere in the U.S.
California houses 563 inmates on death row, yet the state has not executed an individual since 2006. The governor previously placed an execution moratorium in 2019 and ordered the closure of the state's death row facility in 2022.
The players
Gavin Newsom
He is the current Governor of California and a vocal opponent of capital punishment.
Richard Allen Davis
He is a 72-year-old death row inmate convicted in the 1993 murder of Polly Klaas in Petaluma.
Isauro Aguirre
He is a 46-year-old death row inmate sentenced for the 2013 murder of Gabriel Fernandez in Los Angeles.
Cary Stayner
He is a 65-year-old death row inmate convicted for the 1999 murders of four women near Yosemite National Park.
Joseph Naso
He is a 92-year-old death row inmate sentenced in 2013 for the killings of four women.
The details
The governor is reviewing the cases of high-profile inmates, including Richard Allen Davis, who was sentenced for the 1993 murder of Polly Klaas, and Isauro Aguirre, who was sentenced for the 2013 murder of Gabriel Fernandez. Other inmates identified include Joseph Naso, Wayne Adam Ford, Ramon Salcido, and Cary Stayner, who were convicted for multiple homicides.
Timeline
1990: Ramon Salcido was sentenced to death for family murders.
2006: The last execution was carried out in California.
2019: A state moratorium on executions was established.
2022: Governor Newsom ordered the dismantling of death row.
January 2027: Gavin Newsom is scheduled to leave office.
Legal Context
The proposed commutations follow the path set by the 2019 California executive order on the death penalty moratorium. This move extends the policy precedent established by that moratorium and the 2022 administrative directive to dismantle the state's death row.
Residents should be aware that the potential mass commutation could lead to shifts in the long-term incarceration status of the state's most notorious convicted criminals. While the decision primarily affects the correctional system, it remains a significant point of civic debate regarding justice for victims and state sentencing policy.
The takeaway
The move suggests a permanent shift toward ending capital punishment in the state regardless of future gubernatorial appointments. Citizens may see continued administrative focus on reclassifying sentences for those currently held on death row.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's evolving legal landscape on the Criminal Justice section page.
