Families of 50 California murder victims voice support for Gov. Newsom's move to commute death sentences

Fifty families signed a letter, encouraging Gov. Newsom to follow through.

Families from across California who have lost loved ones to murder are urging the state Supreme Court to approve Gov. Gavin Newsom's plan to commute the sentences of all of the state's death row inmates.

The families echo the governor's sentiment when he announced the controversial move last week.

READ MORE: California Gov. Newsom says he will commute all death sentences in state to life without parole

They say, despite their pain, they have a moral opposition to the death penalty.

Of the 548 inmates on death row, 382 of their commutations would require approval from a majority of the state Supreme Court's seven justices.

A total of 50 families also sent Gov. Newsom a letter, encouraging him to follow through with his plans. The families are also asking that he reallocate $150 million from the funds saved by eliminating costly death penalty cases to trauma recovery centers and flexible assistance for survivors.

"Killing a person in our name does not undo what was done to Polly, and it is not something we want done in her memory," said Jess Nichol, the sister of Polly Klaas, who was abducted and murdered at 12 years old in Petaluma, California.

"I know what it feels like to want someone to die because they took the person you love. I know the anger, and I know the desire for that ultimate punishment," said Paul Wilson, the husband of Christy Wilson, who was one of eight victims killed in a 2011 Seal Beach mass shooting. "The commutation does not erase the crime. It does not mean forgiving someone, and it does not require the families to forgive."

California has not executed a prisoner in 20 years.

Last week, police chiefs from across the state criticized the governor's move, saying it's reopening wounds for families still grieving the loss of their loved ones.