Sacramento, Calif. – A California congressman has sharply criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom for his decision to suspend the death penalty, a stance that has reignited debate in a state with a complex history on capital punishment. The controversy gained fresh attention following a grim case involving the murder of a young teen in Los Angeles.
U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley, a Republican, argued that the moratorium on capital punishment, instituted by Newsom in 2019, could potentially embolden criminals. His comments came in the context of a distressing case where Mario Edgardo Garcia Aquino is accused of murdering 13-year-old Oscar Omar Hernandez.
According to Kiley, the governor’s action undermines the will of California voters who, in 2016, rejected Proposition 62, a ballot initiative that sought to repeal the death penalty. Kiley contends that the suspension disrupts the state’s legal framework and sends a wrong message about the severity of committing serious offenses in California.
Criticism of Newsom’s policy is part of a broader discussion on law and order in the state, with Kiley applauding efforts by L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman to restore what he views as necessary legal boundaries. He contrasted Hochman’s approach with that of former District Attorney George Gascón, whose policies Kiley described as “insane.”
Adding to the complexity of the Aquino case is his immigration status. Kiley pointed out that California’s status as a sanctuary state could offer Aquino additional protections. However, Ryan Elizabeth Todd, an immigration attorney based in New York City, noted that undocumented immigrants can indeed face the death penalty in the U.S., and authorities must inform a foreign national of their right to contact their consulate upon arrest.
Details emerging from the prosecutor’s office suggest Aquino allegedly engaged in heinous activities beyond the murder, with accusations including a prior sexual assault. These allegations have only added to the public outcry and intense scrutiny of Newsom’s moratorium.
The suspension of the death penalty marks a significant shift in California’s criminal justice approach, with the last execution carried out in 2006. Despite various calls for its return, especially in high-profile cases, Newsom has not signaled any shift in his stance since the moratorium.
As this contentious debate unfolds, Kiley appears skeptical that Newsom will revise his position on the death penalty. Meanwhile, efforts to obtain a comment from Newsom’s office on the matter remain unanswered. This ongoing debate underscores the enduring tension within California’s political landscape over one of its most profound and divisive legal issues.