Maryland Governor, Martin O’Malley, may try once again to abolish the death penalty in his state. In 2009 he reached an agreement with the legislature that limited the use of capital punishment, but did not strike it from Maryland’s penal system. With some pressure from anti death penalty groups, and riding the tide of such liberal achievements as legalized same-sex marriage, expanded opportunities for illegal immigrants, and increased gambling rights, now may be the time to act.
The NAACP plans to spend more money in Maryland than any other state this year in an effort to get the death penalty abolished. However O’Malley, who has long been against its use, could possibly be tempered by political ambitions in 2016 and therefore not as ardent in his opposition.
