Politics news and discussion on TalkFuse.
EXCLUSIVE: Mass Murderer Whose Death Sentence Was Commuted Urges Newsom To Run For President, Others Question Dem Governor’s Motives
After California Governor Gavin Newsom commuted the death sentences of all 548 people on the state’s death row, six incarcerated men gave sharply different reactions. One supported the decision and urged Newsom to run for president, while others questioned his motives or opposed the commutations.
Ka Pasasouk, sentenced for killing four people in 2012, said a commutation could ease his isolation and let him take part in group programmes. A police officer’s killer said he deserved prison but respected Newsom for acting; other inmates criticised the decision as political. The state constitution requires Supreme Court review of clemency for most inmates convicted on multiple counts.
In short
- Newsom commuted all 548 California death row sentences.
- Inmates expressed sharply differing views of the decision.
- Most commutations require state Supreme Court review.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters can argue that commuting death sentences recognises the risk of irreversible error and rejects capital punishment while preserving lengthy imprisonment for people convicted of grave crimes. It may also allow people on death row to take part in group programmes and reflects a governor’s use of clemency to set a different course for state policy.
The case against
Critics can argue that commuting every death sentence at once gives too little weight to differences among cases, the severity of the crimes and the wishes of victims’ families. They may also question whether the decision was driven by political ambition, and contend that clemency in multi-count cases should receive the constitutionally required judicial review.