Relatives of murder victims lash out at California chief over cancellation of executions

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has faced criticism from relatives of homicide victims after the decision to commute the death sentences of 548 inmates to life imprisonment without parole. This is reported by NBC News.

Dissatisfaction with the decision of the head of state, relatives of the victims expressed a week after the announcement of the review of sentences for all convicts on death row.

At a press conference in Santa Ana, Faye Jenkins, whose daughter and son-in-law were killed in 2008, spoke. Californians have previously spoken out in favor of retaining the death penalty. According to the woman, the governor should not replace the will of voters with his own convictions. She considers those convicted for the murder of her relatives unworthy of commutation of punishment.

Steve Herr, whose son died in 2010, was also criticized. He said he attended 203 trials before the killer was sentenced to death. The man hoped that after the completion of the process, his family would no longer have to return to the tragedy.

Newsom himself explained his decision by disagreement with the use of the death penalty by the state. He said the practice was contrary to California’s values. There have been no executions in the state since January 2006.

To replace all 548 death sentences with life sentences without parole, the governor will need approval from the California Supreme Court in 382 cases.