"Newsom's past actions have made it clear he deplores capital punishment as deeply as many civil rights advocates," writes columnist Robin Epley.

Wesley Brownlee is accused of killing six people in Stockton and Oakland. Under California law, that makes him eligible for the death penalty.

>> LOOK AT THIS BEHIND US. THIS IS THE NUMBER OF DEATH PENALTY EXECUTIONS IN OUR COUNTRY SINCE 1977. YOU SEE THE LATE 90'S. THAT WAS THE PEAK. BUT THEN A GRADUAL DECLINE. >> THAT IS UNTIL NOW. THIS UP ...