Gavin Newsom files Friend-of-the-Court Brief in Death Penalty Case alleging Racial Discrimination

Gov. Gavin Newsom filed a brief in support of the appeal of Don’te McDaniel, a man on death row convicted of murder. Newsom argued in the amicus brief that “racial discrimination infects the administration of California’s death penalty.” Six present and past California District Attorneys filed a separate brief arguing that the death penalty is “unfair and racially biased”. Newsom cited research that demonstrates significant statistical differences charging the death penalty depending on race and gender of the victim, and race of the defendant. A clear example of racism in practice is the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office. Jackie Lacey, in her 8 years in office has send 24 men to death row; all but one were men of color. The McDaniel case is now before the California Supreme Court, who will be assessing the constitutionality of the death penalty in California.