VENTURA, Calif. — Governor Newsom's decision to commute existing death sentences in California directly impacts the families of 15 victims in Ventura County, District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said Friday, the District Attorney's Office announced.
Read the District Attorney's release: https://da.venturacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/Statement-from-District-Attorney-Erik-Nasarenko-on-Governor-Newsoms-Decision-to-Commute-Death-Sentences.pdf
The Decision, The Families, The Loss
These were the most heinous and horrific crimes in the county over the past fifty years, the statement said, and the victims' families have endured unimaginable loss, grief and suffering.
The commutation directly impacts the families of 15 victims in Ventura County, according to the District Attorney's Office.
The Sentences, The Process, The Change
These death sentences were imposed after a jury carefully considered the evidence, facts and circumstances of each individual case, the statement said.
They represent years of courtroom proceedings, appeals and judicial review.
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"Life without the possibility of parole is a severe punishment, but it was not the sentence determined in a courtroom for these 15 cases, and it replaces the decision-making authority of the judge and jury with gubernatorial discretion," District Attorney Erik Nasarenko stated. "That is what the California Constitution allows, but our responsibility as prosecutors is to seek justice, stand with victims and their families and uphold the rule of law and will of the voters."
The Review, The Ask, The Law
As the California Supreme Court reviews many of these commuted sentences, Nasarenko encouraged the justices to carefully evaluate each eligible case and reach its own independent decision.
"As the California Supreme Court reviews many of these commuted sentences, I encourage the justices to carefully evaluate each eligible case and reach its own independent decision," Nasarenko stated.
The California Supreme Court's review of the commuted sentences continues, and the District Attorney's Office said it will keep standing with the victims' families and upholding the rule of law and the will of the voters.
Sources
Ventura County District Attorney's Office, "Statement from District Attorney Erik Nasarenko on Governor Newsom's Decision to Commute Death Sentences," November 6, 2026 (Release No. 26-164): https://da.venturacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/Statement-from-District-Attorney-Erik-Nasarenko-on-Governor-Newsoms-Decision-to-Commute-Death-Sentences.pdf