Gavin Newsom: “We are all the beneficiaries of oil and gas. No one’s naive about that.”

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.

Because the death penalty is inherently incompatible with our legal system's commitment to justice, I have determined that this clemency decision, while difficult in many respects, will ultimately affirm the strength and integrity of our…

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.

Faithfulness to our values is measured by how we act when it is most difficult to uphold them. For me, this is one of those instances … Today, I’m acting on my long and deeply held conviction that individually and collectively we are…