Most of the day was spent in meetings on the revenue bills needed to balance the budget, but I did have time to draft my testimony for tomorrow’s hearing on repeal of the death penalty. 

When given the opportunity, two dozen Marylanders have voted no on the death penalty.

Prosecutors have sought the death penalty on two occasions since the General Assembly last took action on the death penalty.

In one instance, there was no doubt as to the perpetrator.

In the other, a prison guard had been killed by an inmate serving a life sentence.

The additional expense attributable to these capital prosecutions would be better spent assisting the families of victims.

It has been more than 33 years since the full House voted on the fundamental question before us today.

This committee should give the body the opportunity already exercised by our peers on those juries.

We are past the time when we can tinker with the death penalty.

It should be repealed.

 

(Photo Credit: Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. Lam / February 10, 2011 )