Criminal Justice
Maryland gov signs bill abolishing death penalty; fate of 5 men on death row is uncertain
Maryland’s governor on Thursday, as expected, signed into law a bill that abolishes the death penalty.
The state is the first south of the Mason-Dixon line to end capital punishment, the Associated Press reports.
However, still uncertain is the fate of the five men still on death row, who are not covered by the new law. Gov. Martin O’Malley has the power to commute their sentences to life in prison and says he will consider doing so on an individual basis.
Reuters and the Washington Post (reg. req.) also have stories.
See also:
ABAJournal.com: “Maryland lawmakers abolish death penalty”
