Since 2006, the death penalty has been put on hold due to charges of administering the lethal injection incorrectly. Since that time, capital punishment has been engaged in a hot debate. On Wednesday, the Senate vote approved a version of the bill in order to block any repeal efforts, especially those made by Gov. Martin O’Malley in 2009. The bill will now make its way to the House of Delegates, where confidence is high that it will be passed. Maryland currently has 5 men on death row with the last execution taking place in 2005. Those who support the death penalty are hoping the bill will be passed in 2014. If that occurs, voters will have an opportunity to petition the issue on a ballot.
