O'Malley leads march to repeal death penalty (Delmarva Times)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Brian Witte • Associated Press Writer • February 26, 2009

ANNAPOLIS -- Gov. Martin O'Malley prayed and marched Wednesday against capital punishment, saying he only has 22 of the 24 votes needed to repeal Maryland's death penalty in a full Senate vote. But he's hoping lawmakers can still be persuaded

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, a supporter of capital punishment, promised O'Malley's bill would get the full Senate attention that has eluded past repeal legislation -- though he's not sure just how yet.

O'Malley, a Roman Catholic Democrat, spoke at a morning prayer breakfast before leading a march by about 100 people down a major street in Maryland's capital city.

"A knowledgeable person in the Senate said to me: 'Can you have 24 votes for repeal?' I said: 'Well, I only have 22, but the Holy Spirit might have 24, so let's give it a shot,"' O'Malley told the group that had gathered to pray with the governor and Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown.

Maryland has five men on death row. Five inmates have been executed since Maryland reinstated the death penalty in 1978. Wesley Baker, who was put to death in December 2005, was the last person to be executed in Maryland.
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more: http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20090226/NEWS01/902260398/1002





Of course, we've had LTTEs informing us that the DP is the only thing that keeps us from being overrun by criminals. :eyes: