OC Speaks Out On Gov's Death Penalty Moratorium

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA —Opinions on California Governor Gavin Newsom's moratorium on the state's death penalty ranged from praise to outrage, Thursday. The director of the California Innocence Project, Justin Brooks, spoke highly of the move.

"It has been my dream for many years that we would end the human rights violation known as the death penalty in California," Brooks said. "It is certain that as long as there is the death penalty, there is the risk of executing innocent people."

Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office, the California Innocence Project, Restore Justice and Death Penalty Focus also lauded the governor's order.

The mood differed in Orange County, Thursday; officials spoke up about their thoughts on Newsom's decision to declare an end to the death penalty while he is in office.

"I'm obviously disgusted," Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer told City News Service. "The governor does not have the moral high ground here. He talks about the morality of his decision-making. Well, tell that to the victims of these most heinous crimes committed by California's worst murderers."

The governor should seek another referendum on the issue rather than unilaterally placing a moratorium on capital punishment, Spitzer said. He noted that former Gov. Jerry Brown was also morally opposed to the death penalty, but as attorney general and governor did not try to stop executions in the state.

"He understood his legal obligation and took an oath to uphold the constitution and uphold the laws," Spitzer said of Brown.

As of this report, there are 60 Orange County death row inmates, including Daniel Wozniak, sentenced to death in 2016.

Steve Herr, the father of Wozniak's victim Sam Herr, was "highly upset" by the news. "We're obviously disappointed," though he acknowledged that it was unlikely he would see Wozniak executed.

"I'd like to hear (Newsom) explain to the victims and me why he thinks the death penalty is not the appropriate consequence" in Wozniak's case. "He's going to have to deal with the victims' families. He has no idea how we feel. None whatsoever."

For Herr, it is small comfort to their family just knowing that Wozniak remains on Death Row.

Meanwhile, two Republicans from Orange County issued statements opposing the governor's decision to declare the moratorium and to close the death chamber at San Quentin State Prison immediately.

"As a member of the Assembly Public Safety Committee, I already see enough legislation favoring criminals, rather than the victims," said Assemblyman Tyler Diep, R-Westminster "This action is completely unacceptable and a disregard to the will of the voters. I ask, `When will the governor stand up for the victims and their families? Protecting convicted felons is another horrible message to would-be criminals who are already enjoying lax laws in the state. When is enough, enough?"'

Sen. Patricia Bates, R-Laguna Niguel, said she was "disappointed that today's action undermines the will of California's voters who spoke clearly in 2016 to reaffirm the death penalty."

State Sen. John Moorlach, R-Costa Mesa, also criticized the move, saying that instead of dealing with all death penalty cases in "a broad sweep, (Newsom) could have dealt with any hint of injustice by examining each case giving reprieves where discrimination existed," Moorlach said. "I'm just trying to grasp how the relatives of the victims will comprehend a possible slight to perpetrators who so tragically impacted their lives."

City News Service contributed to this report.