---
id: 71dfe8a622
section: safety
first_reported: 2026-11-05 16:06 PST
updated: 2026-11-09 11:17 PST
status: reported
outlets: 4
---

# Newsom commutes death sentences for 548 California prisoners

Gov. Gavin Newsom commuted the death sentences of 548 state prisoners on Thursday. Victims' rights advocates criticized the decision, while Sen. Dave Cortese praised it.

Section: [Public Safety](/san-jose/section/safety.md) · Entities: [Gavin Newsom](/san-jose/wiki/gavin-newsom.md), [Dave Cortese](/san-jose/wiki/dave-cortese.md)

## Coverage

- [KRON4](https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/san-jose-state-senator-praises-newsoms-courageous-decision-on-state-death-sentences/), 2026-11-05 16:06 PST: San Jose state senator praises Newsom's 'courageous decision' on state death sentences
- [San José Inside](https://www.sanjoseinside.com/news/newsom-commutes-sentences-for-all-ca-prisoners-on-death-row/), 2026-11-05 20:21 PST: Newsom Commutes Sentences for All CA Death Row Prisoners
- [Palo Alto Online](https://www.paloaltoonline.com/calmatters/2026/11/09/un-dolor-desgarrador-familiares-de-las-victimas-indignados-por-la-decision-de-newsom-de-conmutar-penas-de-muerte-en-california/), 2026-11-09 11:17 PST: ‘Un dolor desgarrador’: Familiares de las víctimas indignados por la decisión de Newsom de conmutar penas de muerte en California
- [Mountain View Voice](https://www.mv-voice.com/calmatters/2026/11/09/un-dolor-desgarrador-familiares-de-las-victimas-indignados-por-la-decision-de-newsom-de-conmutar-penas-de-muerte-en-california/), 2026-11-09 11:17 PST: ‘Un dolor desgarrador’: Familiares de las víctimas indignados por la decisión de Newsom de conmutar penas de muerte en California

Headline and summary written by the Acta Diurna desk from the coverage above. Read the original reporting for full detail.