Each one of the arguments raised in Scott Shellenberger and Richard E. Vatz's recent op-ed calling for reinstating the death penalty in Maryland was considered during the debate on capital punishment ("Maryland should reinstate the death penalty," Jan. 6).
They were rejected by a commission chaired by Benjamin R. Civiletti, a former attorney general of the United States; Gov. Martin O'Malley and the General Assembly; and the public, when not enough voters signed petitions to put the issue on the ballot.
Moreover, Maryland juries have declined to endorse the death penalty.
The process has worked. A death penalty system that could not be fixed is now history. It's time to address other public safety issues.
Samuel I. "Sandy" Rosenberg, Baltimore
The writer represents Baltimore City in the Maryland House of Delegates.
