MARYLAND (USA): SENATE PASSES DEATH PENALTY REPEAL BILL

The Maryland Senate approved legislation to repeal the state’s death penalty, putting Maryland on course to become the 18th state to abolish capital punishment.
Senators voted 27-20 in favor of the measure, sending the proposal to the House of Delegates where it is expected to have an easier time. The state has not executed a prisoner since 2005.
The Senate had long been considered the biggest hurdle for repeal supporters.
This year’s bill barely made it out of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, where it was passed in a 6-5 vote after longtime repeal opponent Sen. Robert A. Zirkin, Baltimore County Democrat, lent his support to the measure.
On the Senate floor, 25 of 35 Democrats and two of 12 Republicans voted in favor of the legislation.