August 21, 2014 - SAN FRANCISCO -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today issued the following statement on the decision to appeal the U.S. Central District of California court's ruling on the state’s death penalty. The court found that California’s death penalty is unconstitutional on the grounds that it takes too long for courts to consider and rule on defendants’ challenges to their convictions and sentences. 

"I am appealing the court's decision because it is not supported by the law, and it undermines important protections that our courts provide to defendants. This flawed ruling requires appellate review."