California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s bid to convert every death sentence in the state to life without parole reaches far beyond single murder cases. According to a KTLA report and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation records cited by The Western Journal, at least 10 men convicted of serial killings are included. The action does not free anyone and would replace death penalties with life terms without parole.
Who’s on the list
KTLA reported that the governor’s move encompasses several of California’s most notorious serial murder cases, including Randy Kraft (the “Scorecard Killer”), Chester Turner, Charles Ng, David Carpenter (the “Trailside Killer”), William Suff (the “Riverside Prostitute Killer”), Cary Stayner, Joseph Naso (often linked to the “Alphabet” murders), Wayne Adam Ford, Steven Dean Gordon, and Michael Gargiulo (the “Hollywood Ripper”).
What changes—and what doesn’t
The Western Journal reports that Newsom has asked the California Supreme Court to approve the commutations where required by law. The Los Angeles Times, as cited in the source material, has noted that state Supreme Court sign-off is required in roughly 60 percent of the 548 cases involving inmates with more than one felony conviction. Even if approved, the inmates remain imprisoned for life; the move does not pardon, release, or erase convictions.
Newsom’s stated rationale
In an open letter referenced by The Western Journal, Newsom framed the mass commutation as a moral stand against what he called “state-sanctioned killing,” arguing that drawing distinctions among victims would create unequal categories. California has not carried out an execution since 2006, and Newsom imposed a moratorium in 2019. Voters rejected ballot measures to abolish capital punishment in 2012 and again in 2016.
Victims’ families and prosecutors push back
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned the move on Fox News @ Night, calling it “callous” and saying victims’ families were “stabbed in the heart,” according to a Fox News Flash post promoting his interview. In a clip circulated on social media by commentator Eric Daugherty, Marc Klaas—father of 12-year-old Polly Klaas, whose killer is on California’s death row—criticized the timing and said the decision felt like “a shiv in my back.”
High-profile case in the spotlight
Social media commentary highlighted Charles Ng, convicted of 11 murders, whose death sentence was upheld by the California Supreme Court in 2022, according to a widely shared post summarizing the case history. The Western Journal notes that Newsom’s action would convert Ng’s sentence to life without parole if finalized through required legal steps.
What happens next
California’s high court will determine whether many of the commutations can proceed. Until then, all death row inmates remain in state custody. The Western Journal emphasizes that Newsom’s effort leaves the death penalty statute on the books for future cases while seeking to nullify existing death sentences.