# California DA Fights Newsom Death Row Commutations

- Link: https://the-timenews.com/newsom-death-row-commutations-challenge/
- Published: 2026-11-13T11:01:29+00:00
- Author: The Time News

A California district attorney has opened a formal court fight over **Newsom death
row commutations**, taking direct aim at the governor’s power to alter capital murder
sentences. The lawsuit challenges recent clemency orders issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom,
setting off a sharp clash between county prosecutors and the state executive branch.

For California residents and families who endured lengthy capital murder trials,
the outcome could decide whether death sentences handed down by juries can be wiped
away by a governor’s stroke of a pen. The legal fight also signals growing resistance
from local law enforcement leaders against statewide criminal justice policy.

**Also read:** [US Poll Shows Death Penalty Support Drops Below Majority for First Time Since 1971](https://the-timenews.com/us-death-penalty-support-poll-historic-drop/)

## Families and police blast clemency decisions

Anger over the reprieves surfaced publicly as crime victims’ advocates and police
leaders criticized the governor’s moves on television. Marc Klaas, whose daughter
was murdered by a Death Row inmate, condemned the actions during an appearance on
Fox News @ Night.

Klaas spoke alongside John Kachirisky, sergeant-at-arms for the California Fraternal
Order of Police. Both men took issue with Gov. Gavin Newsom granting clemency to
condemned prisoners who were sentenced to die for heinous crimes. Police organizations
maintain that changing these sentences disregards the promises made to victims’ 
surviving relatives.

## Why the legal challenge over Newsom death row commutations matters

A district attorney filing a legal challenge against a sitting governor represents
an uncommon step in California politics. Under state law, governors possess broad
authority to grant reprieves, pardons, and commutations. But prosecutors claim there
are constitutional limits to how those clemency decisions are issued, especially
in capital cases where victims have statutory rights.

The pushback against Newsom death row commutations highlights persistent frustration
among California district attorneys over executive actions on capital punishment.
Even though voters rejected measures to repeal the death penalty in recent elections,
executive moratoriums and clemency orders have halted executions across the state.

The immediate next step is for the California courts to docket the lawsuit over 
Newsom death row commutations and set a hearing schedule.

_Source: [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/video/6408322337112)_

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