| Year of Reenactment (since 1972 suspension) | 1974 | |
| Year of First Execution (since reenactment) | 1992 | |
| History | 1872-1936: hanging | |
| Current Method | Inmate choice of lethal injection or lethal gas. | |
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California has life without parole. A jury decides the sentence. The Governor has the exclusive authority to grant clemency, unless the prisoner has twice been convicted of a felony; in that case, a recommendation of the State Supreme Court with four justices concurring is necessary. No clemencies have been granted since Furman.
California executed a foreign national, Jaturun Siripongs from Thailand, despite pleas for clemency from that country. California
also executed Manuel Babbitt, a former Marine who had been given one of
the country's highest medals for being wounded in action. Babbitt suffered from post-traumatic stress syndrome after his service in Vietnam.
