SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale) introduced a bill this week that would extend the review period before the governor makes a decision to approve or deny an application for commutation of a death sentence. The bill also will give the families of victims the opportunity to speak on why an inmate should not be let off of death row.
Assembly bill 580 comes in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s moratorium issued to halt the death sentences of 737 death row inmates.
“These people who are on death row have committed over 1,000 atrocities, hundreds involving rape and torturous behavior prior to the murder of their victims,” Lackey said in a news release. “These people are monsters. Many of the inmates on death row have even orchestrated murder and crime from within their cells. The families are expecting some semblance of justice, and now Governor Newsom is taking a position against the will of the people.”
AB 580 creates a more comprehensive review period for the governor when a death row inmate applies for commutation. It extends the mandatory wait period for an inmate on death row from 10 days to 30 days.
“As lieutenant governor, Newsom promised to respect the decision of the voters on the death penalty, and after his election as governor, swore an oath to enforce state law. After just three months on the job, he broke both vows, placing his personal views above the will of the people and his obligation as governor” said Michael Rushford, a spokesman for the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation.
AB 580 also affords victims’ families the opportunity to state their case one last time before an inmate is removed from death row. It mandates that the Board of Parole Hearings provides a recommendation to the governor to either approve or deny a commutation.
Claire says
People’s want for death row reminds me of Saudi Arabia. Not saying anything negative, I like Saudi Arabia. Lackey is right, it should be up to families to decide weather the criminal lives or dies, just like the Shariah law in Saudi Arabia.
Tom says
Waist of time Lackey. California will never execute a death row inmate ever again reguardless what anyone votes, says or wants, unfortunately. People say crime don’t pay, well if you get caught in California it sure does. Liberals are killing this state and it’s right in front of everyone’s eyes with no shame.
Trumpist#1 says
Newsom spit in voters’ faces and overturned two 2016 propositions. That’s what passes for democracy, representation and voters’ will in the Socialist People’s Republic of Californiastan.
Progressive elites always know better so why ask voters?