Mercury News: Newsom announced death penalty executions in California would be halted under his administration and during his time in office. California has 737 inmates on death row, more than any other state, with 25 of the condemned inmates having exhausted all of their appeal efforts. Newsom supported a failed 2016 ballot initiative to repeal executions in the state. The executive order he is expected to sign will also withdraw the state's lethal injection protocol and catalyze the dismantling of the execution room at San Quentin State Prison. Newsom's order will not commute any sentences.