Friday, May 3, 2013
A spokesperson for the Prince George's County State's Attorney said she will use whatever tools she has at her disposal to prosecute crime.
Proponents of the death penalty in Maryland announced Friday that they will launch a petition to overturn the repeal signed into law this week by Governor Martin O'Malley. Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger and Washington County Del. Neil Parrott will spearhead and effort to obtain the 55,736 signatures required to add a referendum to the 2014 ballot, giving voters the opportunity to overturn the death penalty repeal. John Erzen, a spokesperson for Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks, did not offer specific comment on the possibility of a referendum, but did say that she would consider seeking the death penalty in future cases if it were available. “What her position has always been is that she …
Thursday, February 21, 2013
A bill to repeal capital punishment is expected to pass out of a Senate committee with the vote of the Baltimore County Democrat.
The effort to repeal the death penalty in Maryland was stalled by the vote of one Baltimore County Democratic senator but it may pass this year because of another. Sen. Bobby Zirkin said he will vote in favor of a bill that repeals capital punishment in the state. "I'm forever torn on this issue, have been and probably always will be," Zirkin said in an interview Thursday. "I'm extremely jealous of people who fall comfortably on one side of the debate or the other." In the end, Zirkin said he made the decision to vote for repealing capital punishment based on testimony of some victims who said the death penalty provided little closure because of lengthy appeals and that the state hasn't executed anyone in nearly a decade. Zirkin said the …
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Capital punishment in Maryland already is effectively dead, according to some prosecutors.
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Saturday, February 9
By Julia Maldonado, Capital News Service A bill that would repeal the death penalty in Maryland appears to have the votes needed to clear the Senate, adding momentum to Gov. Martin O’Malley and proponents’ push for repeal. But some prosecutors and other death penalty supporters say a repeal would only make official what is already true—capital punishment doesn’t really exist in Maryland. The state has one of the most restrictive death penalty laws in the country. Combine that with bureaucratic opposition from the governor and judges’ reluctance to impose the ultimate penalty, and even the most violent criminals are not likely to ever be executed, some say. “I don’t want them to ever have the opportunity to do it again,” said Sen. Kathleen …
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
The governor's seventh State of the State address is seen by many as a prelude to an expected run for president in 2016.
Gov. Martin O'Malley Wednesday urged lawmakers to pass his offshore wind bill and find more money for transportation projects—though he offered no details on a gas tax initiative. In his seventh State of the State speech, the Democratic governor also used his 35-minute address to remind legislators of what he sees as his major accomplishments since taking office in 2007. In many ways, the speech seemed to lay the groundwork for what many expect will be a run for President in 2016. Choice was a major theme in O'Malley's speech. "Better choices. Better results. The proof is in our progress," O'Malley said. [Read O'Malley's speech as prepared or watch it.] O'Malley's Legislative Wish List On the top of O'Malley's wish list are the passage of …
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Maryland legislators look at the state's death penalty and pit bull legislation, man sentenced in domestic violence case, Prince George's County development and more are this week's top stories.
Poll: Marylanders Favor Life Without Parole Over Death Penalty A new poll by Annapolis-Based Gonzales Research shows support for banning assault weapons while only 25 percent of those polled want to see Gov. Martin O'Malley run for President. Graphic: Maryland Executions and Death Row Prisoners This interactive graphic shows the five people executed in Maryland since 1976, and the five people currently on death row in the state. Legislation Would Ease Pressure on Pit Bull Owners and Landlords Bills in the House of Delegates and Senate would create a new standard where all dog owners are presumed liable for dog attacks, regardless of the breed of the animal. Two Arrested, One Suspect at Large in Killing of Ft. Washington Student Prince …
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Sean Henderson and Julia Maldonado, Capital News Service
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Wednesday, January 23
This interactive graphic shows the five people executed in Maryland since 1976, and the five people currently on death row in the state. Also includes an interactive map comparing the number of executions in Maryland since 1976 with the number of executions in other states in that period.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
The session opened Wednesday with social and budget issues among lawmakers' top priorities.
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Wednesday, January 9
By Lucas High, Capital News Service ANNAPOLIS—Gun control, the death penalty, transportation and environmental legislation were expected to be top priorities for state lawmakers as the Maryland General Assembly convened for its 433rd legislative session Wednesday in Annapolis. In the wake of the mass killings in Newtown, CT, in December, Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) plans to push for tighter firearm restrictions, including a ban on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines. Sen. Brian E. Frosh said there will be a reintroduction of a bill he sponsored last legislative session that prohibits the sale of guns with magazines of 10 rounds or more. “[The proposed bill] can protect people, save lives and it certainly does not infringe on Second …
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger and anti-death penalty advocate Kirk Bloodsworth share their opinions about efforts in Annapolis to repeal the state's capital punishment law.
Proposed legislation to repeal Maryland's death penalty is scheduled to be heard by state lawmakers in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Wednesday afternoon in Annapolis. Before the hearing, supporters of repeal are set to hold an 11:30 a.m. press conference in the House Office Building with NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous and relatives of murder victims. The two bills pending in the Senate and House have 85 co-sponsors between them. Repeal advocates are expected to argue that years of death penalty appeals torment families of murder victims who otherwise would never hear from a defendant sentenced to life in prison. Patch caught up with Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger—who supports the death penalty—…
Yvonne Lucas
10:18 am on Sunday, May 5, 2013
You know that they say JIm Crow was myth but if you asset the things that are going on in Prince George's County you have wonder, If you understand what and why the Death Penalty was created and the struggle we have trying to get rid of it. Shame Shame Shame on anyone that is trying to use it. Revenge is mine say The Lord! more ›