Gavin Newsom: “It has not been and cannot be fairly applied and has resulted in the conviction of innocent people.”

I know we cannot execute people in our imperfect legal system and remain true to our core values, first among them justice and human decency.

For this reason, I am compelled to follow my conscience and, as authorised by our Constitution, take this action for the welfare of the State of California.

State-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California’s values

Some have said I should not grant clemency to people who committed the worst of the worst crimes … I have learned, however, from speaking with the victims harmed by these crimes, that each experiences their loss as the worst of the worst.