USA - Maryland. A state panel has put new Maryland death penalty protocols on hold for further review

A state panel has put new Maryland death penalty protocols submitted by Gov. Martin O'Malley on hold for further review because they are “not specific enough”. Sen. Paul Pinksy, who is the co-chairman of the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, Legislative Review, says members have questions about the kinds of chemicals used in the state's lethal injection process, and what kind of medical expert should be on hand during an execution. A hearing has not yet been scheduled before the panel, and it's unclear whether one will take place this year or whether the panel will wait until the Legislature convenes in January. A de facto moratorium on capital punishment in Maryland has been in place since Dec. 16, 2006 (see), when the state's highest court ruled Maryland's lethal injection protocols weren't properly approved by a legislative committee.