Region

A prisoner could be executed in California’s gas chamber as early as next year, Atty. Gen. John Van de Kamp told a group of law enforcement officials in Riverside. California has not had an execution in 20 years, but Van de Kamp said death penalty cases may be resolved faster once Chief Justice Rose Elizabeth Bird and two associate justices of the Supreme Court step down in favor of three justices to be appointed by Gov. George Deukmejian. Van de Kamp does not foresee a “wave of executions.” However, he predicted that the new court, which will be seated Jan. 5, will be more likely to uphold death penalty convictions.