Maryland
Does my state have the death penalty?
Yes, Maryland has executed a total of 5 people since 1976.
In 2000, Governor Parris Glendening commissioned a study at the University of Maryland to study racial bias in the state's death penalty. During the 2001 legislative session, a bill to enact a moratorium pending completion of that study was passed by the House of Delegates, and would have passed the Senate had it not been blocked by a filibuster.
In May 2002, the Governor Parris Glendening enacted a moratorium on executions pending completion and review of the study.
Governor Ehrlich lifted the moratorium in January 2003, after the study was released and just days after his inauguration.
Maryland's first execution in 6 years was carried out in June 2004, when the state put Stephen Oken to death.
In March 2005, death penalty repeals were introduced to both the Senate and the House.
What is my governor's position on the death penalty?
Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr (R) favors the death penalty. However, he is a sponsor of the Innocence Protection Act.
How many people are on Death Row in my state?
There are currently 9 prisoners on Death Row in Maryland. Of the 9 Death Row prisoners, 6 are black and 3 are white.
Is there anything like the Center on Wrongful Convictions in my state?
The Innocence Project of the National Capitol
Region
American University
Washington College of Law
4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016-8184
Van Caldwell, wvdc@erols.com
Innocence Institute of Western Pennsylvania
Bill Moushey
Point Park College,
Department of Journalism and Mass
Communications
201 Wood St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1984
Was anyone on Death Row ever found innocent in my state?
One innocent person has been exonerated on Death Row in Maryland. Kirk Bloodsworth was released in 1993 after serving 9 years.
Are there any opportunities for volunteering in my state?
ACLU of Maryland
Maryland Coalition Against State Executions
MD CASE meets once a month to work towards abolition of the death penalty in Maryland. MD CASE was an active participant of the coalition that helped push a moratorium bill through the 2001 House of Delegates.
Additional Resources
Maryland State Info at DPIC
Maryland State Info at Equal Justice USA
* Information updated annually. Last updated January 2006. For more information, go to the Death Penalty Information Center.
News
Death Penalty Examination Hits Baltimore Sun
May 03, 2005
This article from The Baltimore Sun looks at the declining death penalty trend in Maryland,...
Bring on the Bishops
March 20, 2005
U.S. Roman Catholic bishops are preparing to begin what they call a major campaign to...
US 'Whittling Away at Death Penalty'
March 03, 2005
From the BBC: Legal experts say that the US Supreme Court's decision to prevent youths...
Democracy Now Segment About The Death Penalty
March 02, 2005
Today you can see a segment of Democracy Now with Amy Goodman about the landmark...
Supreme Court Bars Death Penalty for Juvenile Killers
March 01, 2005
In a huge move, The Supreme Court forbid the execution of minors (under 17) at...
Study Finds Innocence Issue Leads to Lower Death Penalty Support
February 22, 2005
Makes sense to me. Three-quarters of Americans believe that an innocent person has been executed...
Bush Calls for Death Penalty Lawyer Training
February 04, 2005
I realize this is a slow response to the State of the Union, (two days...
Court TV Runs 'The Exonerated'
January 23, 2005
Airing: 9 p.m. Thursday, Court TV "At the end of the play, we would sometimes...
Shocking Maryland Death Row Statistics
November 18, 2004
While researching screenings in Maryland, one of our outreach "target states", I came across some...
Project for Older Prisoners
September 24, 2004
George Washington University Law students work within the criminal process, particularly the prison and...
