Sun coverage: Death penalty in Md. -- baltimoresun.com

October 20, 2009

Prosecutors won't be called to testify on death penalty

In a setback to a prisoner challenging the state's new death penalty curbs, Maryland's 24 state's attorneys will not be called to testify how they decide whether to seek capital punishment in murder cases.

October 19, 2009

Court test today for death penalty revisions

Maryland's new death penalty restrictions will get their first courtroom challenge today, as lawyers for one of two men facing trial in the killing of a prison correctional officer take the amended law to task.

October 17, 2009

Key lawmakers question Md. execution process

The co-chairs of a Maryland regulatory committee warned Friday that a failed execution attempt in Ohio could be repeated here without mandatory medical training for executioners and raised concerns about the use of lethal drugs deemed too cruel for even animal euthanasia.

June 25, 2009

Maryland moves toward resuming executions

Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration took a reluctant step Wednesday toward resuming executions in Maryland after the governor failed earlier this year to persuade the General Assembly to outlaw capital punishment.

March 27, 2009

Md. House OKs death penalty reform

The House of Delegates approved new restrictions on the death penalty in Maryland on Thursday, sending the much-debated plan to the state's anti-capital punishment governor, who has said he will sign it into law.

March 26, 2009

Death penalty bill gains

New limits on the death penalty in Maryland took a major step Wednesday toward becoming law, even as some state senators acknowledged that refinements are needed in legislation that appears headed to the desk of the governor, who has said he will sign it.

March 18, 2009

State attorney general argues against death penalty curbs

Maryland's attorney general and Baltimore County's top prosecutor, both death penalty supporters, want the General Assembly to abandon what they are calling haphazard and arbitrary restrictions on capital punishment cases approved by the Senate this month.

March 5, 2009

Senate OKs limits on use of death penalty

Maryland senators advanced a plan yesterday to make the state's capital punishment statute one of the most limited in the nation.

March 4, 2009

Senators turn away repeal of death penalty in Md.

Baltimore County senators rebuffed an effort to abolish Maryland's death penalty yesterday, persuading lawmakers instead to restrict when capital punishment can be used.

March 3, 2009

Senate set for a divisive debate today on the death penalty

Maryland senators are bracing for a divisive debate this morning on capital punishment, with two influential state leaders pulling lawmakers in opposite directions.

February 26, 2009

Senate may debate death penalty repeal

An effort led by Gov. Martin O'Malley to end capital punishment in Maryland could be days away from a full Senate debate, a significant move forward for death penalty opponents who have seen their cause fail in a committee the past few years.

February 17, 2009

Narrow majority of Md. senators oppose repeal of death penalty, survey reveals

Gov. Martin O'Malley's push to end the death penalty in Maryland would probably fall short if a legislative vote were held today, even though the governor insisted yesterday that the repeal effort "has a real shot this year."

February 3, 2009

Senator suggests deal on death penalty measure

A new wrinkle in the death penalty debate emerged in the General Assembly yesterday when a state senator said he would vote to move a repeal bill out of the committee where it has been bottled up for several years.

January 16, 2009

O'Malley vows to work to end death penalty

Gov. Martin O'Malley said yesterday that he will do "everything in my power" to abolish the death penalty in Maryland this year and for the first time raised the possibility of allowing voters to decide the divisive issue through a constitutional amendment if legislative repeal efforts fail again.

December 16, 2008

Dan Rodricks: Report may put final nail in death penalty

In the report from the Maryland Commission on Capital Punishment, the people of this state and their elected representatives have all the evidence needed to abolish the death penalty, once and for all, in the next session of the General Assembly.

November 14, 2008

Execution foes take heart

Armed with a recommendation from a state commission to abolish Maryland's death penalty, opponents who have long sought to end the practice are hoping to finally put the matter to rest by pressuring key lawmakers to switch their votes.

January 26, 2007

Death penalty repeal sought

Gov. Martin O'Malley said yesterday that he would sign a repeal of the death penalty if a bill reaches his desk, weighing in on the contentious issue hours after a coalition of legislators and activists renewed their push to strike Maryland's execution law from the books.

January 26, 2007

Key death penalty dates

1972: The U.S. Supreme Court invalidates death penalty statutes across the country.

December 13, 2005

Death penalty debate focuses on redemption

His case had become a cause celebre. To his supporters, Stanley "Tookie" Williams, the gang founder who spent his years on death row warning people away from the violent culture he helped to create, was living proof that a condemned killer could be rehabilitated.

December 8, 2005

Death penalty stirs debate

Several of Maryland's inmates sentenced to death are late in the legal process of trying to stave off execution and one could face a death warrant soon, although defense attorneys say significant issues still need resolution before another inmate is put to death.

December 7, 2005

Witness describes final moments of Baker's life

Editor's note: Jennifer McMenamin was one of five media witnesses to Baker's execution Monday night.

December 7, 2005

Ehrlich says decision on execution was difficult

Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. said yesterday that the decision to allow this week the second execution of his term came after extensive review of the case and consideration of the views of death penalty opponents, including Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele and Cardinal William H. Keeler.

December 6, 2005