Newsom commutes death sentences of 548 inmates on California death row

Coverage spectrum

Covered by 3 outlets, all right-leaning.

5 articles in total, 1 of them opinion. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias

Image via Washington Free BeaconHow images are chosen Report this image

Washington Free Beacon, Daily Mail, Townhall and the New York Post report that Governor Gavin Newsom commuted the death sentences of all 548 inmates on California’s death row on Thursday, reducing their punishments to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Newsom said California cannot ethically kill those sentenced to die, according to the outlets. They report that David Westerfield, sentenced to death for the 2002 kidnapping and murder of seven-year-old Danielle Van Dam, is among those spared. The Free Beacon says the commutations are the largest mass commutation of death sentences in U.S. history. A neighbor of the victim criticized Newsom in the New York Post for sparing a killer after a 24-year wait for justice.

Headline and summary written by Mantle’s AI from the coverage below, under published rules. Editors read every story. How this works

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The coverage spectrum counts the outlets covering a story at each of five points. A short or missing segment means that part of the spectrum is mostly quiet.

Governor Loaded verb“slams”It adds drama to what was said. The governor criticized the lawmakers; “slams” makes it sound like a fight.More neutral: criticizes lawmakers over budget delay

Highlights mark words that carry a judgement. Tap one to see why, and what a neutral writer would say. Here it is “criticizes”.

The 5-point spectrum

Far Left
Voices that strongly advocate for progressive policies and systemic change.
Left
Mainstream liberal perspectives focusing on social equality and regulation.
Center
Sources that prioritize neutral reporting and balanced viewpoints.
Right
Mainstream conservative perspectives focusing on market freedom and tradition.
Far Right
Voices that strongly advocate for conservative values and limited government.

How we measure bias

What happened

Key points

Each point shows who reports it, from Far Left to Far Right.

Newsom commuted the death sentences of all 548 inmates on California’s death row, reducing their punishments to life without parole.
One side only: the rightReported byRight2Far Right2See the outletsHide the outlets
Right
Daily Mail, New York Post
Far Right
Washington Free Beacon, Townhall
Newsom said California cannot ethically kill those sentenced to die.
One outletWashington Free Beacon· Far Right
David Westerfield, sentenced to death for the 2002 kidnapping and murder of Danielle Van Dam, is among those whose sentences were commuted.
One outletWashington Free Beacon· Far Right
The Washington Free Beacon says the commutations are the largest mass commutation of death sentences in U.S. history.
One outletWashington Free Beacon· Far Right
A neighbor of the victim said she had waited 24 years for justice and criticized the commutation.
One outletNew York Post· Right

How each side tells it

Compare views

All four outlets report that Newsom commuted the death sentences of 548 California inmates. They stress the crimes of those spared and the grief of victims’ families, with the Far Right outlets most sharply condemning the move.

the left
No coverage yet
No left-leaning outlet that Mantle follows has covered this story yet. That absence is part of the picture.
the center
No coverage yet
No center outlet that Mantle follows has covered this story yet. That absence is part of the picture.
the right
3 outlets · 1 opinion
Right-side headlines foreground the crimes and victims, calling the inmates child killers and monsters and casting the commutations as a betrayal; the Far Right outlets are most sharply mocking, with “Gavin the Merciful” and “Monsters”.
Dozens of Dehumanizing label“child killers”The label reduces the inmates to their worst act as a fixed identity.More neutral: people convicted of murdering childrenDisagree with this highlight? spared by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mass commutation
New York PostRightAll right-leaning headlines

The words they chose

Language to notice

Words that carry a judgement beyond the facts. Tap a highlighted word anywhere on the page to see why.

Left
Has not covered this story.
Center
Has not covered this story.
Right13
most notorious killersblastsstunning decisionchild killers

In the outlets’ own words

Loaded modifier
most notorious killersMore neutral: killers convicted in San Diego County
The superlative pre-judges the men as notorious beyond their documented crimes.
…memories and backlash for those with memories one of San Diego County’s most notorious killers.
Used byNew York Post (Right)
Loaded verb
blastsMore neutral: criticizes
The verb presents a critical statement as an explosive attack.
Neighbor of murdered 7-year-old blasts Gavin Newsom for sparing killer after 24-year wait for justice
Used byNew York Post (Right)
Sensational language
stunning decisionMore neutral: decision
The adjective adds drama to a clemency decision without describing its content.
Gavin Newsom’s stunning decision this week to commute the death sentences of all 548 condemned inmates in…
Used byNew York Post (Right)
Dehumanizing label
child killersMore neutral: people convicted of murdering children
The label reduces the inmates to their worst act as a fixed identity.
Dozens of child killers spared by Gov.
Used byNew York Post (Right)

Show 9 more phrasesShow fewer

Delegitimizing label
undemocraticMore neutral: a decision made without a public vote
The word presents a governor’s clemency decision as illegitimate without a finding that any rule was broken.
This was, once again, an undemocratic move by Newsom.
Used byTownhall (Far Right)
Dehumanizing label
MonstersMore neutral: people convicted of murder
The word reduces convicted murderers to a subhuman category rather than describing them by their crimes.
Here Are Some of the Monsters Gavin Newsom Removed From Death Row
Used byTownhall (Far Right)
Sensational language
furious attackMore neutral: criticism
The adjective adds drama beyond the reported criticism.
…seven-year-old Danielle van Dam when she was abducted and murdered has launched a furious attack on California Governor Gavin Newsom after he commuted the killer's death sentence.…
Used byDaily Mail (Right)
Loaded verb
slamsMore neutral: criticizes
The verb adds a harsh tone to what is a public criticism.
Woman whose seven-year-old neighbor was abducted and murdered by pedophile slams California Governor Gavin Newsom for commuting his death sentence
Used byDaily Mail (Right)
Loaded modifier
notorious serial killersMore neutral: serial killers
“Notorious” adds a judgement about the inmates beyond the convictions described.
…the death sentences of the state's 548 death row inmates, including several notorious serial killers and child murderers.
Used byWashington Free Beacon (Far Right)
Loaded modifier
notoriousMore neutral: known for (describe)
Judgement of reputation as fact.
…the death sentences of the state's 548 death row inmates, including several notorious serial killers and child murderers.
Used byWashington Free Beacon (Far Right)
Loaded modifier
Gavin the MercifulMore neutral: Newsom’s 548 Death Row Commutations
The sarcastic nickname mocks the governor’s clemency before the merits of the decision are weighed.
Gavin the Merciful: Newsom’s 548 Death Row Commutations of Infamous Child Murderers and Serial…
Used byWashington Free Beacon (Far Right)
Loaded modifier
InfamousMore neutral: known for (describe)
Judgement of reputation as fact.
Gavin the Merciful: Newsom’s 548 Death Row Commutations of Infamous Child Murderers and Serial Killers Overshadow Biden’s Notorious Clemency Spree
Used byWashington Free Beacon (Far Right)
Sensational language
Notorious Clemency SpreeMore neutral: Biden’s clemency actions
“Notorious” and “spree” frame ordinary clemency decisions as reckless and disreputable.
…of Infamous Child Murderers and Serial Killers Overshadow Biden’s Notorious Clemency Spree
Used byWashington Free Beacon (Far Right)

See the full language guide

See for yourself

Side by side

What each side leads with and what it leaves out. Open a side to read its headlines.

From the left

0 outlets

No left-leaning outlet that Mantle follows has covered this story yet. That absence is part of the picture.

From the center

0 outlets

No center outlet that Mantle follows has covered this story yet. That absence is part of the picture.

From the right

3 outlets · 1 opinion

Leads with

the crimes of those spared
grief and anger of victims’ families
the scale of the mass commutation

See the 4 headlines from the rightHide the headlines

Washington Free BeaconFar Right
Loaded modifier“Gavin the Merciful”The sarcastic nickname mocks the governor’s clemency before the merits of the decision are weighed.More neutral: Newsom’s 548 Death Row CommutationsDisagree with this highlight?: Newsom’s 548 Death Row Commutations of Loaded modifier“Infamous”Judgement of reputation as fact.More neutral: known for (describe)Disagree with this highlight? Child Murderers and Serial Killers Overshadow Biden’s Sensational language“Notorious Clemency Spree”“Notorious” and “spree” frame ordinary clemency decisions as reckless and disreputable.More neutral: Biden’s clemency actionsDisagree with this highlight?
Over the past 50 years, 917 death row inmates in the United States have received clemency. Nearly 60 percent of those inmates were spared on Thursday when outgoing California Gov. …
1 hr agoRead at Washington Free Beacon (opens in a new tab)
Daily MailRight
Woman whose seven-year-old neighbor was abducted and murdered by pedophile Loaded verb“slams”The verb adds a harsh tone to what is a public criticism.More neutral: criticizesDisagree with this highlight? California Governor Gavin Newsom for commuting his death sentence
Danielle Van Dam,7, was snatched from her bed in the early hours of February 2, 2002, from her family's home in the Sabre Springs neighborhood whilst her father and two brother's slept soundly.
1 hr agoRead at Daily Mail (opens in a new tab)
New York PostRight
Dozens of Dehumanizing label“child killers”The label reduces the inmates to their worst act as a fixed identity.More neutral: people convicted of murdering childrenDisagree with this highlight? spared by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mass commutation
Gavin Newsom has made a major change to California’s correctional system — one that will be felt deeply by families of victims across the state.
3 hr agoRead at New York Post (opens in a new tab)
1 more from New York Post
- Neighbor of murdered 7-year-old blasts Gavin Newsom for sparing killer after 24-year wait for justice
TownhallFar RightOpinion
Here Are Some of the Dehumanizing label“Monsters”The word reduces convicted murderers to a subhuman category rather than describing them by their crimes.More neutral: people convicted of murderDisagree with this highlight? Gavin Newsom Removed From Death Row
Earlier, we told you how Gov. Gavin Newsom commuted the sentences of 548 California death row inmates. This was, once again, an Delegitimizing label“undemocratic”The word presents a governor’s clemency decision as illegitimate without a finding that any rule was broken.More neutral: a decision made without a public voteDisagree with this highlight? move by Newsom. In both 2012 and 2016, California voters rejected ballot initiatives to repeal the state's death penalty. …
3 hr agoRead at Townhall (opens in a new tab)

The stories you read build My Mix, a private picture of which sides cover the stories you choose, kept on this device. What is My Mix?

The left is Far Left and Left together. The right is Right and Far Right together. Every outlet keeps its own five-point rating.

Who reported it when

How the coverage built up

Left
No report yet
From the outlets Mantle follows
Center
No report yet
From the outlets Mantle follows
Right
First to report
New York Post, Nov 6, 12:56 PM EST

See the order the outlets reported inHide the order

New York PostRightNov 6, 12:56 PM EST
Daily MailRightNov 6, 5:32 PM EST
Washington Free BeaconFar RightNov 6, 5:51 PM EST

Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out.

Newsom commutes death sentences of 548 inmates on California death row

Coverage spectrum

Key points

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the left

the center

the right

Language to notice

In the outlets’ own words

Side by side

From the left

From the center

From the right

Woman whose seven-year-old neighbor was abducted and murdered by pedophile Loaded verb“slams”The verb adds a harsh tone to what is a public criticism.More neutral: criticizesDisagree with this highlight? California Governor Gavin Newsom for commuting his death sentence

Dozens of Dehumanizing label“child killers”The label reduces the inmates to their worst act as a fixed identity.More neutral: people convicted of murdering childrenDisagree with this highlight? spared by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mass commutation

Here Are Some of the Dehumanizing label“Monsters”The word reduces convicted murderers to a subhuman category rather than describing them by their crimes.More neutral: people convicted of murderDisagree with this highlight? Gavin Newsom Removed From Death Row

How the coverage built up

Read next

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Key points

Compare views

the left

the center

the right

Language to notice

In the outlets’ own words

Side by side

From the left

From the center

From the right

Woman whose seven-year-old neighbor was abducted and murdered by pedophile slamsLoaded verb“slams”The verb adds a harsh tone to what is a public criticism.More neutral: criticizesDisagree with this highlight? California Governor Gavin Newsom for commuting his death sentence

Dozens of child killersDehumanizing label“child killers”The label reduces the inmates to their worst act as a fixed identity.More neutral: people convicted of murdering childrenDisagree with this highlight? spared by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mass commutation

Here Are Some of the MonstersDehumanizing label“Monsters”The word reduces convicted murderers to a subhuman category rather than describing them by their crimes.More neutral: people convicted of murderDisagree with this highlight? Gavin Newsom Removed From Death Row

How the coverage built up

Read next

Cornell faculty senate passes no-confidence vote in university administration

Foster mother charged with murder after 10-year-old girl is found dead in New Jersey car

Trump names Stephen Miller as chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles

Houston mayor signs order limiting police cooperation with ICE

ANC share of vote falls below a third as most local election ballots are counted

Woman whose seven-year-old neighbor was abducted and murdered by pedophile Loaded verb“slams”The verb adds a harsh tone to what is a public criticism.More neutral: criticizesDisagree with this highlight? California Governor Gavin Newsom for commuting his death sentence

Dozens of Dehumanizing label“child killers”The label reduces the inmates to their worst act as a fixed identity.More neutral: people convicted of murdering childrenDisagree with this highlight? spared by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mass commutation

Here Are Some of the Dehumanizing label“Monsters”The word reduces convicted murderers to a subhuman category rather than describing them by their crimes.More neutral: people convicted of murderDisagree with this highlight? Gavin Newsom Removed From Death Row