Progress: Maryland’s Death Penalty Ban Advances Toward Passage

Legislation would make it the 18th state to stop capital punishment

“Thou shalt not kill,” one of the Ten Commandments, has been interpreted (and ignored) so many different ways in society. In Maryland, they may be taking the biblical directive literally. The state Senate on Wednesday approved a measure to abolish the death penalty. And it just might advance all the way! The legislation appears to have support in the House and the backing of Gov. Martin O’Malley. If it makes it to the governor’s desk, Maryland would become the 18th state to ban execution. Death penalty opponents have long argued that it is too costly, prone to error and racially biased, and is not a proven deterrent to crime. Supporters, of course, would like capital punishment reserved for the “worst of the worst” crimes. They’ve vowed to launch a petition to get the issue on the ballot for voters to decide, should Maryland lawmakers finish passing ban. (Associated Press)

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