Newsom Seeks to Clear Death Row
. . . commutes sentences for hundreds of prisoners
Gov. Gavin Newsom is commuting the death sentences of 548 people, clearing the California death row for the first time since the state conducted hangings in the late 19th century.
But for certain prisoners, an extra layer of review is needed. Here’s what to know. . .
Written by Jeanne Kuang and Nigel Duara | November 5, 2026 | Cal Matters
EDITOR'S NOTE: One of the prisoners getting his legally imposed death penalty reduced to a less severe punishment is the murderer of Polly Klaas.
"Polly Hannah Klaas was a 12-year-old American girl whose kidnapping and murder from her home in Petaluma, California, catalyzed a nationwide movement for child safety and harsher criminal sentencing.
On the night of October 1, 1993, an intruder broke into Polly's home during a slumber party with two friends, tied and gagged the girls at knifepoint, and kidnapped Polly.
...was arrested weeks later after being spotted acting suspiciously near a property, and he eventually confessed and led authorities to Polly's body, which had been strangled near an abandoned lumber mill.
The high-profile case helped inspire California's "Three Strikes" sentencing law for repeat offenders, as well as the broader implementation of Amber Alerts and Megan's Law.
Her father, Marc Klaas, founded the KlaasKids Foundation, and the family established the The Polly Klaas Foundation to assist families of missing children and promote child protection policies."
Polly Klaas was the niece of my friend. She emailed me a flyer which I printed and posted. She wanted it posted especially at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport which I did. Polly was already dead.
Polly's life was ended at twelve years of age but this murderer will now be allowed to live out his entire life. Why are the criminals treated better than the victims and their families?
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