Maryland Gov

Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. instructed his lieutenant governor, Michael S. Steele, to interview prosecutors, defence attorneys and others involved in the state's death penalty as a first step to deciding whether to seek further study of apparent racial and jurisdictional disparities in its use.
But Ehrlich also made clear he has no intention of reinstating a moratorium on state executions, and said his staff has begun reviewing the first death penalty case likely to request his signature on a clemency petition.
Ehrlich's statement came as a Baltimore County judge signed a death warrant for Steven H. Oken, setting an execution by lethal injection for the week of March 17.
After the decision by Judge John G. Turnball, Steele, who is Catholic, said he opposes the death penalty and remains concerned about the racial disparity in sentencing.
"If we are going to have the death penalty in Maryland, it has to be fair and just," he said. "There is a [racial] disparity that exists. Why it exists, nobody seems to know."
However, Steele also said he respected Ehrlich's pro- death penalty position, as he did during the gubernatorial race. Steele also said the guilt of the 12 inmates was beyond doubt.
Ehrlich's comments, read at a news conference by his communications director, Paul E. Schurick, are his first response to the two-year University of Maryland study, which was commissioned by former Gov. Parris N. Glendening. That study has troubled Steele.
"Clearly, there's a linkage to race, and clearly there's a linkage to jurisdiction," Steele said at the news conference.
Ehrlich assigned Steele to lead a task force on the issue, but maintained his pro-death penalty stance. Steele will meet with prosecutors, defence attorneys and death-penalty groups to examine the reasons behind racial disparity and the need for more study. His findings will be delivered to
Ehrlich in the form of a recommendation for further action.