Governor O'Malley embraces death penalty repeal

Governor Martin O’Malley formally took the lead today of a renewed campaign to repeal Maryland’s death penalty after receiving assurances that the measure has new support in the General Assembly. WYPR’s Karen Hosler filed this report.

Karen Hosler: Governor O’Malley’s official embrace of the drive to abolish capital punishment in Maryland signaled he believes it is a fight he now can win. 

Governor Martin O'Malley: Especially in tough times if there’s something that we’re doing in our government, through our government, that is expensive and does not work, then we should stop doing it. 

Hosler: The governor wouldn’t say directly whether he has the votes.

O'Malley: I believe that there is the will in the Senate, and I also believe that there is the will in the House.

Hosler: But apparently he has fewer arms to twist. I’m Karen Hosler, reporting from Annapolis for 88.1 WYPR