Governor O’Malley announced today that he will commute the sentences of the four men on Death Row to life without the possibility of parole.

I was honored to be asked to be a lead sponsor of the legislation that repealed the death penalty.

After eight years of work, we have now accomplished our goal.

I want to share with you my letter to the Governor last week and his statement today.

 

Dear Governor O’Malley:

No one is going to be put to death by the State of Maryland.

Together we repealed the death penalty. For me, it was the most profound thing I will ever do.  I am sure your sentiments are similar.

An attempt to petition the law to referendum did not obtain the necessary signatures.

Governor-elect Hogan has stated that he will not introduce legislation to restore capital punishment.

The repeal statute authorizes you to “change a sentence of death into a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.”

No one on Death Row is going to be set free.

I urge you to act with the same purpose that motivated your leadership in ending capital punishment.

Commute the sentences of the four men still on Death Row to life without the possibility of parole.

 

Yours truly,

 

Samuel I. Rosenberg

 

The Governor’s statement is at http://governor.maryland.gov/blog/governor-omalley-issues-statement-on-the-four-remaining-inmates-sentenced-to-death-in-Maryland/