Man who killed Polly Klaas in 1993 seeks to have death sentence overturned
More than three decades after 12-year-old Polly Klaas of Petaluma was kidnapped and murdered, the man convicted of killing her is seeking to overturn his death sentence.
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More than three decades after 12-year-old Polly Klaas of Petaluma was kidnapped and murdered, the man convicted of killing her is seeking to overturn his death sentence.
Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen announced on Friday that he has ordered the county's 15 inmates on California's death row to be resentenced to life without parole.
The Supreme Court rejected Kenneth Smith's argument that it would be unconstitutional for the state to attempt a second execution after a failed lethal injection in 2022.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who three years ago placed a moratorium on executions, now is moving to dismantle the United States' largest death row by moving all condemned inmates to other prisons within two years.
California's top court rejected an attempt to make it harder to impose the death penalty, ruling Thursday in favor of the current system.
The California Supreme Court began hearing arguments Wednesday in the death penalty appeal of Donte McDaniel, a case that legal experts say could impact the future of capital punishment in the state.
California's process for imposing the death penalty "is now, and always has been, infected by racism," Gov. Gavin Newsom declared Monday in a brief filed with the state Supreme Court.
Condemned Inmate John Abel, sentenced to San Quentin's death row after evidence linked him to a 1992 Orange County slaying, has died at a local hospital, prison officials announced Saturday.
When voters passed Prop. 66 in 2016 most believed the measure would speed up state executions, they never thought it would lead to condemned prisoners being allowed to request a transfer off San Quentin's Death Row.
A handyman convicted in the hatchet murders of an elderly couple who employed him and who was sent to San Quentin's death row has died at an outside hospital early Wednesday morning.
Parents of Californians murdered by people now on death row launched a statewide tour to urge Gov. Gavin Newsom to reverse his moratorium on executions.
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris said Thursday that there should be a federal moratorium on executions.
It was a simple sentence posted on the door to San Quentin Prison's death chamber, but its impact sparked a debate across California and the nation.
A former U.S. Marine who was convicted and sentenced to death for the murders of five Southern California women in the 1980s and 1990s by an Orange County jury in October was discovered dead in his cell at San Quentin.
"It became crystal clear to me that the risk of unequal application is high and its effect on deterrence is low," the senator said.
Opponents of a voter-approved measure to speed up executions in California are asking the state Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling upholding the law.
Chief Judge Alex Kozinski of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said properly trained firing squads are a "foolproof" way to quickly execute an inmate .
Volunteers who have spent countless hours searching, without success, for Morgan Hill teenager Sierra LaMar filled a San Jose courtroom Friday to show support for her family as the man accused of murdering her suspect made his first court appearance since prosecutors announced they would seek the death penalty.
Some of the more high-profile members of Silicon Valley's social and financial scenes are writing big checks in support of the proposition that would abolish capital punishment in California, dwarfing the opposition's fundraising in the process.
Opponents of capital punishment announced Thursday that they have gathered nearly 800,000 signatures for a November ballot initiative that would repeal the death penalty in California and replace it with life in prison without parole.
More than two-thirds of California voters favor keeping the death penalty despite a growing preference for life without parole for certain crimes, a new survey shows.
A long-running challenge to California's death penalty procedures that has resulted in executions being put on hold for five years has been assigned to a new federal judge in San Francisco.
Senator Loni Hancock on Thursday withdrew her bill to replace the death penalty with prison without the possibility of parole before the legislation could come up for a vote.
State Senator Loni Hancock is looking to end the death penalty in California, but victim's families are irate over the proposed legislation.
A report released Monday tallies the cost of carrying out an execution in California, suggesting that the financial impact to California taxpayers since capital punishment was reinstated in the state is in the neighborhood $4 billion.
In July, San Francisco recorded 34 fatal overdoses - the lowest monthly total since drug deaths were recorded in 2020. Now, a new street drug could slow down the city's road to recovery.
The Kennedy Center board, which is filled with President Trump's allies, is set to vote Tuesday on a new plan to close the center for two years of renovations.
A growing number of residents in two Northern California counties have been allowed to return home as firefighters increased containment on the Lucas Fire burning near the Mendocino National Forest.
FBI Director Kash Patel was grilled for nearly five hours by both Democrats and Republicans about a string of recent negative headlines about the FBI.
Quinn Mathews took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and Alec Burleson had an RBI single to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 2-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants.
In July, San Francisco recorded 34 fatal overdoses - the lowest monthly total since drug deaths were recorded in 2020. Now, a new street drug could slow down the city's road to recovery.
A growing number of residents in two Northern California counties have been allowed to return home as firefighters increased containment on the Lucas Fire burning near the Mendocino National Forest.
Oakland is implementing a new encampment policy that allows inhabited vehicles to be cited and towed more quickly, drawing the ire of RV dwellers who say the city is reneging on its promises.
California dairy farmers are bracing for another economic hit as the escalating U.S.-Canada trade war brings new tariffs on American dairy products.
Some San Francisco officials are looking to pause the construction of any new data centers that support the exploding AI industry.
In July, San Francisco recorded 34 fatal overdoses - the lowest monthly total since drug deaths were recorded in 2020. Now, a new street drug could slow down the city's road to recovery.
Some San Francisco officials are looking to pause the construction of any new data centers that support the exploding AI industry.
A woman was sexually assaulted in her home by an intruder last week and a suspect was later arrested, authorities said on Monday.
At the Merry Pranksters reunion in Golden Gate Park at the Forever Grateful immersive exhibition, the daughter of Jerry Garcia and Carolyn Adams was in attendance.
Season-opening performances of the San Francisco Opera have been canceled, as orchestra musicians announced a strike.
Oakland is implementing a new encampment policy that allows inhabited vehicles to be cited and towed more quickly, drawing the ire of RV dwellers who say the city is reneging on its promises.
A Santa Clara County Sheriff's deputy has been arrested for alleged possession of child sexual abuse material, authorities said on Monday.
A crash in Brentwood over the weekend killed two students from Liberty High School and left another student in critical condition, authorities said.
There are growing concerns about online addiction, and on Sunday in Oakland, community organizations hosted an outdoor fun festival to get kids out into the sunshine and remind them that there is life off the screen and outside of social media.
Police in Antioch are investigating what they say are two separate hit-and-run crashes on Saturday that left two pedestrians with major injuries.
A San Jose police officer was fired after using a personal device to access automated license plate reader data while off-duty, the police chief said.
A judge on Friday granted a preliminary injunction blocking further construction of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Santa Clara County near Gilroy.
It was a normal field survey along the California coastline in San Mateo County that turned into a fascinating discovery.
The Los Gatos community came together Friday night to remember two residents taken in the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
Perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific, Nepenthe has been a fixture along Big Sur's Highway 1 for more than seven decades.
A growing number of residents in two Northern California counties have been allowed to return home as firefighters increased containment on the Lucas Fire burning near the Mendocino National Forest.
Firefighters in Northern California continued to increase containment on the Lucas Fire burning near the Mendocino National Forest, as evacuations remained in effect Sunday.
A reality TV personality and Texas political candidate was closely watching the civil trial against a former Northern California Wine Country mayor in preparation for her own courtroom battle.
A Sonoma County jury found former Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli liable for sexually assaulting seven women, bringing a verdict Friday in a civil case that stemmed from allegations that first became public more than five years ago.
The Lucas Fire burning near the Mendocino-Lake County line grew to over 4,000 acres on Saturday and evacuation orders remained in place.
Quinn Mathews took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and Alec Burleson had an RBI single to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 2-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants.
Manny Machado hit a two-run homer and the San Diego Padres ran their winning streak to seven games with a 6-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday night.
Germany's Alexander Zverev won his second Grand Slam after finally taking home his first major title earlier this year at the French Open.
San Francisco's Rafael Devers' season is over and he may have surgery for a core muscle injury.
Despite the final score, this one wasn't easy; the Americans faced their biggest deficit in the tournament in a long time.
In July, San Francisco recorded 34 fatal overdoses - the lowest monthly total since drug deaths were recorded in 2020. Now, a new street drug could slow down the city's road to recovery.
A Santa Clara County Sheriff's deputy has been arrested for alleged possession of child sexual abuse material, authorities said on Monday.
A woman was sexually assaulted in her home by an intruder last week and a suspect was later arrested, authorities said on Monday.
A man who was arrested after a massive fire at a condominium complex on the Peninsula last month will not be charged, prosecutors said.
The trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and three other alleged 9/11 plotters is scheduled to begin in June 2028.
Some San Francisco officials are looking to pause the construction of any new data centers that support the exploding AI industry.
AI has fueled a stock boom in recent years. Now, some Wall Street analysts think that epic run is coming to an end.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq slumped 147 points on Monday after AI company executives called for a slowdown in developing the technology.
Some House Democrats are calling on Speaker Mike Johnson to delay the congressional recess expected at the end of the week until lawmakers pass AI safeguards.
There are growing concerns about online addiction, and on Sunday in Oakland, community organizations hosted an outdoor fun festival to get kids out into the sunshine and remind them that there is life off the screen and outside of social media.
Officials in the East Bay city of Berkeley have issued a warning to residents and doctors amid a rising number of bats that have tested positive for rabies.
Patients taking the first-of-a-kind pill, called daraxonrasib, lived for a median of 13.2 months compared with 6.7 months for chemotherapy recipients, studies showed.
Moderna and Merck announced study results that reflect a "landmark moment" in treatment for one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer.
Multiple unpermitted street food vendors in Fairfield were cited for violations last week after inspections found them selling food unsafe for public consumption, authorities said.
After weeks of uncertainty, students at Richmond's John F. Kennedy High School will start their classes on schedule after weeks after toxic chemicals were found underneath the campus.
The Kennedy Center board, which is filled with President Trump's allies, is set to vote Tuesday on a new plan to close the center for two years of renovations.
FBI Director Kash Patel was grilled for nearly five hours by both Democrats and Republicans about a string of recent negative headlines about the FBI.
Senior Democratic lawmakers vowed to investigate the new market that has sprung up around President Trump's pardons, citing CBS News video that aired in a 60 Minutes report.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom told CNN's Jake Tapper that he would not seek the White House in 2028 if former Vice President Kamala Harris decides to run for president.
The Supreme Court left intact a ruling that blocked the U.S. Postal Service from enforcing new regulations for mail voting, rejecting the Trump administration's effort to move forward with the rules in the midterms.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in supporting a federal lawsuit challenging Idaho's law that bars transgender students from using school restrooms and other sex-separated facilities that align with their gender identity.
Berlin police did not identify the suspect, who is still at large, by name but said that he was already known to police and is from Berlin.
LGBTQ+ communities have significantly higher rates of unemployment than the general population. Kelsi Thorud reports on how the City of Oakland is empowering LGBTQ+ job seekers during Pride Month.
The fallout over the opposition by a handful of San Francisco Giants players against the team's Pride Night celebrations has prompted an investigation of Major League Baseball by the Trump administration.
Major League Baseball has warned players about writing on their uniforms after San Francisco starter Landen Roupp and two other pitchers added Bible verses to their Pride Night caps on Friday night.
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards celebrated the best in television and streaming from the past year on Monday. See the full list of winners and nominees.
Performer Macklemore is being dropped from Ed Sheeran's Loop tour after making on-stage statements that some found controversial.
Dubbed the "Designer to the Stars," Bob Mackie won nine Emmy Awards, a Tony Award and was nominated for three Oscars.
Season-opening performances of the San Francisco Opera have been canceled, as orchestra musicians announced a strike.
Celine Dion's return to the stage underscored a remarkable comeback after stiff-person syndrome, an incurable condition that causes stiffness and cramps, forced her to cancel shows and cast years of uncertainty over whether she would ever perform again.
Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oakland Unified School District has seen an alarming spike in the number of unhoused students in the school system who deal with a host of challenges far beyond what most children face.
Meteorologist and CBS News Bay Area's resident pilot Lt. Jessica Burch got a treat during Fleet Week, taking to the skies with one of the Blue Angels.
A Bay Area man discovered his devastating loss left him with a new opportunity to rethink how he lives -- follow his journey in virtual reality, 360-degree video.
A groundbreaking medical study involving the UCSF Medical Center has shown some colorectal cancer patients can safely skip radiation treatment and enjoy a potentially higher quality of life.
Every day, San Francisco bar pilot Captain Zach Kellerman goes through what might just be the world's most dangerous commute.
On Tuesday, expect a warm day in much of the Bay Area, with highs ranging from the mid-60s along the coast, to the 80s inland. Jessica Burch has the forecast.
Kevin Ko reports.
RV dwellers in Oakland say the city is breaking its promises to them with a new policy that allows the city to clear out RVs and other vehicles more quickly. Brad Hamilton reports.
Meteorologist Zoe Mintz says cooler conditions helped by the marine layer will stick around throughout the week.
An early-morning crash in Brentwood over the weekend left two students from Liberty High School dead and another student critically hurt, along with injuries to a fourth person. Veronica Macias reports.
In 2025, KPIX is moving to a new community service award: the CBS News Bay Area Icon Award. Submit nominations for an outstanding community hero at kpix.com/icon.
It's the most wonderful time of the year for a South Bay woman who has played Mrs. Claus for more than 40 years for the children of North San Jose's Alviso District.
For residents of the Oakland Hills, the prospect of another wildfire always remains a concern. This week's Jefferson Awards winner has made it his mission to make the hills and other high-risk areas safer.
In East Palo Alto -- where state education numbers show more than nine in ten public school students are low income and more than half are English learners -- many are finding hope and connection at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula.
This week's Jefferson Award winner is Army veteran who continues to live a life of service into his 80s, by feeding hundreds of San Francisco families a week.
A Bay Area man who overcame tremendous obstacles to excel in school has made it his mission to gear up other students for success in the classroom and in life.
For Students Rising Above scholar Josh Collins it took moving across the country to realize the value of his Bay Area family.
Samir Hooker had to grow up fast after his stepfather was shot dead 12 years ago. Now he is watching over his mom and sister while attending UC Berkeley.
It's hard enough to graduate from one of the most prestigious schools in the country when you're the first in your family to go to college. Imagine doing that while you're also trying to protect your parents from being deported?
Some students who are the first in their families to go to college face the challenge of balancing a rigorous academic load while still working to help support their family back home.