On May 9, 2002, Maryland Gov

On May 9, 2002, Maryland Gov. Parris N. Glendening (D) declared a moratorium on executions. Glendening said that the moratorium will remain in place until a death penalty study regarding racial bias is completed and the legislature has had an opportunity to review its findings.
The moratorium will remain in place until state parliamentarians can repair any procedural defects highlighted by the study.
Unlike Illinois Gov. George Ryan (R), who declared a moratorium 2 years ago after several death row inmates were exonerated and freed, Glendening said he was not motivated primarily by issues of innocence.
Instead, Glendening said, he was troubled by concerns "in Maryland and across the country" about the fairness of a process that disproportionately selects black killers of white victims for society's ultimate punishment. Over the next few months, Glendening faced the prospect of executing 5 men, 4 of them blacks who had killed whites.
Maryland Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, who has declared her candidacy to succeed Glendening, recently announced her support for the moratorium.
Cities which adopted resolutions in favour of a moratorium are: Baltimore, Mt. Rainier, Takoma Park and the counties of Montgomery and Prince George's.