With a stroke of a pen, all death sentences in California were abolished

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he will change the sentences of 548 death row inmates to life imprisonment without parole, citing human dignity. He believes the death penalty contradicts California's values and undermines the justice system. Newsom previously imposed a moratorium on executions shortly after taking office in 2019. California has not carried out an execution since 2006, although courts continue to impose death sentences for serious crimes.