Jarvis’ Case Cited in Major Death Penalty Advisory Report

In the first comprehensive examination of the death penalty by a California state body since 2008, the Committee on Revision of the Penal Code (CRPC) has now unanimously recommended abolition of the state’s death penalty. 

The CRPC was created in 2019 and directed by the California State Legislature to recommend legal changes that would “simplify and rationalize” California’s Penal Code. After a thorough study of the history and current practice of the state’s death penalty system, the Committee unanimously called for its full repeal since its arbitrary and discriminatory application “cannot be called rational, fair, or constitutional” and thus “cannot ensure justice and fairness for all Californians.”

The 39-page report includes new data and analysis on racial disparities, geographic bias, and the death penalty’s soaring costs and dysfunctions. Jarvis’ case is cited in section IV (d) on disproportionality in sentencing and section VIII on innocence cases.

Pending full repeal, the committee advised reducing the size of death row through the use of executive clemency, recalling and resentencing cases, and a slate of other legislative reforms. Find the full report here.