Xavier Becerra Pushed to Inflate a Black Man’s IQ to Execute Him as California AG
Xavier Becerra, a leading candidate for California governor, has faced criticism for his actions as attorney general regarding the death penalty. His office attempted to inflate the IQ of a Black man, Robert Lewis, to justify his execution, despite arguments of intellectual disability. This practice was later banned by the state legislature, highlighting ongoing concerns about Becerra's criminal justice record.
- ▪Becerra's office pushed to artificially inflate Robert Lewis's IQ to execute him.
- ▪The California Supreme Court overturned Lewis's death sentence in 2018.
- ▪The state legislature passed a measure banning race-based IQ adjustments in death penalty cases.
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Xavier Becerra Pushed to Inflate a Black Man’s IQ to Execute Him as California AG Becerra, a front-runner for California governor, has a history of blocking police accountability measures and seeking to uphold the death penalty. Akela Lacy May 19 2026, 5:57 a.m. Share Copy link Share on Facebook Share on Bluesky Share on X Share on LinkedIn Share on WhatsApp Xavier Becerra speaks during the CBS California Gubernatorial Debate at Pomona College on April 28, 2026, in Claremont, Calif. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images When leading California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra was state attorney general, his office pushed the state Supreme Court to artificially inflate a Black man’s IQ in order to execute him.
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