Governor Martin O’Malley will commute the sentences of the last four men on death row in the state. Two years after abolishing the death penalty, Maryland will no longer have any inmates on death row.
Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley announced Wednesday that he will commute the sentences of the state's four remaining death row inmates, the Baltimore Sun reports.
Governor Martin O'Malley
AP
In a statement, O'Malley said he based his decision on what he thought was best for the public good of the people of Maryland, saying "state executions make every citizen a party to a legalized killing as punishment."
In 2012, Maryland's General Assembly abolished the death penalty, which set off a debate about what should happen to the inmates sentenced to death prior to abolition.
In November, Maryland's Attorney General, Doug Gansler, said he believed that carrying out executions now would be "illegal and factually impossible." O'Malley referenced Gansler's opinion in his statement.
O'Malley said that he met with many of the survivors of the victims of the brutal murders related to the sentences, but did not say in his statement whether of not they agreed with his decision.
"They are all good and decent people who have generously granted me the courtesy of discussing the cases of their individual family members. I am deeply grateful and appreciative of their willingness to speak with me," O'Malley said.
"They have borne their grief bravely along with the additional torment of an un-ending legal process. If endless death penalty appeals were to continue, these family members would, no doubt, persevere through that process with continued courage and fortitude. Of this I have no doubt."
The Governor's decision comes as he is about to leave office on Jan. 21.
Jody Lee Miles
WBAL
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