California DAs Vow to Pursue Death Penalty Despite Newsom's Commutations

California's district attorneys are resisting Governor Gavin Newsom's decision to commute all 548 death sentences in the state to life without parole. While the move aligns with Newsom's stance that state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California's values, prosecutors argue it undermines democratic processes and victim rights. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer called the commutations 'mercy for the wolves,' vowing to continue pursuing the death penalty in new cases. The commutations do not repeal the death penalty, allowing prosecutors to seek it in future cases, as noted by the Mercury News.