O’Malley Signs Death Penalty Repeal

[DonViejo]

Source: TPM



PEMA LEVY 2:29 PM EDT, THURSDAY MAY 2, 2013

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) signed a bill Thursday repealing the state's death penalty, CNN reported. The legislation, a top priority for O'Malley, will take effect on Oct. 1.

"Maryland has effectively eliminated a policy that is proven not to work. Evidence shows that the death penalty is not a deterrent, it cannot be administered without racial bias, and it costs three times as much as life in prison without parole," the governor's office said in a statement.

In current cases where the state is seeking the death penalty, "the notice shall be considered withdrawn and it shall be considered a notice to seek a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole under specified circumstances," O'Malley's office said.

O'Malley, who is considered a top 2016 presidential contender, successfully implemented other liberal priorities including gun control measures and legalizing same-sex marriage.

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Read more: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/maryland-repeals-death-penalty

[timdog44]

1. Congratulations to Maryland, and Gov. O'Malley.

The one thing that our disgraced governor in Illinois did before going to jail was to stop the death penalty.

I have to admit that I am conflicted sometimes about the death penalty, and I am sure I don't know what I would say if I saw someone kill a loved one of mine, I believe it is the best thing a thinking society can do. That is to repeal the death penalty. It obviously is not a deterrent, except as my right wing brother would say "it deters the person who caused the reason for the death penalty". That, of course is a lame reason.

I can see where he might be a consideration for a presidential run. I think the Dems have a very big pool of very good people for that position.

[24601]

3. You make it sound like there was only one disgraced Gov from IL. But back to Maryland and

the death penalty.

Martin O'Malley probably knows about Officers David McGuinn and Herman Toulson. Both were Maryland corrections officers who were killed by convicts already doing life (plus) for previous murders.

Officer Toulson, the first Maryland prison guard killed while on duty, was murdered in October 1984 by Nathaniel Appleby, then age 25, who was serving a sentence of life plus 16 years. Mr. Appleby received an additional 66 years for his 2nd murder and resides in the United States Penitentiary at Hazelton, West Virginia.

Officer McGuinn was murdered in July 2006 by Lee Edward "Shy" Stephens a 32-year-old prisoner serving a sentence of life plus additional years. For his 2nd murder, Mr. Stephens received an additional life sentence, this time without parole. He resides at the Patuxent Institution at Jessup, Maryland.

You stated that your brother's reasoning that it deters a subsequent murder is lame. I'd request you explain how Appleby and Stephens would not have been deterred from their 2nd murders had they been executed for their first. Regardless of whatever one believes about the death penalty, your brother appears precisely accurate.

[timdog44]

4. I may have not stated my

thoughts very well. Sorry.

First, Illinois is not a shinning example of governors and I suppose a lot of license plates have been made by them.

Second, I intended that my brother's meaning was that by putting to death a murderer, he was deterred from further murders after being executed. Which I think is what you are getting at. I still do not accept that the death penalty is something that we should be doing. I am sorry for the loss of the correction officers, especially if they are of special significance to you. I can not speak to security at prisons in regards to obviously very dangerous felons. There are always circumstances that happen that should not happen. Of course the felons immediate death would have prevented the deaths of the officers. So, yes my brother's statement is correct. My contention is that better security would eliminate that.

[timdog44]

5. I ask a couple things.

You pressed me hard. I wish a response from you.

Also, it may be rude, but I ask, what does 24601 stand for?

[24601]

7. It's not rude - it's from Les Mis - Jean Valjean's prison number. If you aren't familiar with the

story, he spent 19 years in prison - 5 for stealing bread, 14 for attempting escape. After release, nobody would hire an ex-con. Starving & desperate, a bishop fed him and put him up for the night. He stole the diocese's silver and was caught, but the bishop told police the items were given to him. With his new wealth, he broke parole and truly rehabilitated himself and was pursued most of his life by an inspector who refused to believe in rehab. There's a lot more, but I don't want to spoil it in case you ever see it/read it.

[timdog44]

8. Thank you.

You are not spoiling the story. Have read it and seen several versions of the movie and the play in Chicago. An interesting moniker.

Hoping we are not at much odds. Until later.

[Nye Bevan]

2. Welcome to the civilized world, Maryland (nt)

[treestar]

6. Terrific

[Tx4obama]

9. Kick n/t