I also tell my students not to read their testimony but to speak from their head and heart instead.

Today, my committee heard the bill to repeal the death penalty.

Below is my written testimony.

I did not read it but did relate most of it.

 

This is a conscience vote.

When, if ever, should the state take the life of one of its citizens?

Each of us is being asked make a judgment.

This afternoon, and in the weeks to come, we will consider morality, theology, deterrence, race, DNA, victims, and general funds.

For myself, this is also a pragmatic vote.

We spend an inordinate amount of time and effort legislating and litigating the death penalty.  The public would be better served if we expended the same effort on issues that have a greater impact on public safety – where people live, work, and play.

With capital punishment expunged from our Code, we can turn our attention to more pressing criminal justice issues.

Life without the possibility of parole is the appropriate sanction for those who commit heinous murders.

The time has come to end state-sanctioned executions in Maryland.

I urge a favorable report.

 

Before I spoke, Governor O’Malley testified as to the countries where the majority of executions take place today – Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, the People’s Republic of China, Yemen, and the United States.

I turned to Ben Jealous, President of the NAACP,  “Apartheid South Africa used to be on the list.”

When I testified, I related that story.