(MD) State police: Pending execution caused surveillance

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By ALEX DOMINGUEZ, Associated Press Writer

Published July 27, 2008

PIKESVILLE, Md. — A pending execution prompted the lawful state police surveillance of anti-war and death penalty opposition groups, the head of the force said Friday.

Superintendent Colonel Terrence B. Sheridan said a preliminary review determined the officers involved did not break any laws, although their judgment could be questioned. The superintendent said he did not think a federal probe or new legislation was needed.

Sheridan said the head of the state police's homeland security division made the decision to begin surveillance after receiving a request from a colleague in another division that was preparing for Vernon Evans' execution. The surveillance of the groups ended in May 2006, and Evans' execution was postponed about six months later, according to a timeline handed out by state police.

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But Sheridan's argument that the spying was connected to opponents of the planned execution does not explain why peace groups were targeted, the group said. E-mail records show police were engaged in surveillance unrelated to the Evans case three months before Sheridan said surveillance began, the ACLU said.