Gov. Martin O'Malley pushed for and obtained from the legislature authorization for a commission to review and recommend changes to Maryland's death penalty statute.

What most people don't realize is that Maryland already has one of the nation's most restrictive death penalty laws. Most convicted murderers are not eligible for the death penalty, and many people can't remember the last time it was used.

For a convicted killer to even be considered for the death penalty, he or she must have committed premeditated murder involving one or more of these 10 "aggravating factors":

* Murdering a law enforcement officer while the officer is performing his duties.

* Committing murder while incarcerated.

* Murdering a law enforcement officer while attempting to escape prison.

* Committing murder while committing a kidnapping.

* Murdering an abducted child.

* Committing a contract murder.

* Hiring someone to commit a contract murder.

* Murdering again after being convicted and sentenced to prison.

* Murdering more than one person.

* Murdering while committing another felony.

As should be clear, these are sound reasons why a murderer should be sentenced to death.

Previous administrations and lawmakers have given careful and deliberate thought to this issue. The present death penalty commission is a complete waste of time and money, and Mr. O'Malley is using it as a platform to further his own personal agenda and try to force his own personal beliefs on the state.

The Maryland death penalty law should stand as written, and be used more often to serve the citizens of Maryland.

Properly utilized, this law can remove dangerous, heinous criminals from society and prevent them from committing future harm.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Paul Highbarger of Hagerstown is the stepfather of Officer Christopher Nicholson, who was slain while on duty in December 2007. His accused killer will face the death penalty.