Last week, a St. Mary's County judge sentenced John Thanos, convicted in the slaying of an Eastern Shore teen-ager, to death. Thanos thus became the 11th person on Maryland's death row. However, no one has been executed in Maryland since 1961, due in part to a cumbersome appeals process that requires at least 24 separate steps and can go on for years. The Thanos sentence followed by a few days Delaware's first execution in 46 years.

The Evening Sun would like to know what you think. Putting aside any ethical arguments, do you believe Maryland's death penalty should be eliminated because the system does not work in the way it was intended? Or, should the appeals process be streamlined?

To register your opinion, call SUNDIAL at 783-1800 (or 268-7736 in Anne Arundel County) today through midnight.

Look for the results in tomorrow's Evening Sun.