WBAL.com

Now that the Maryland General Assembly is in session, opponents of the death penalty are hoping lawmakers end capital punishment, but the sponsor of the bill admits it will be a challenge.

Democratic State Senator Lisa Gladden who is also a public defender says as of now her bill to abolish the death penalty won’t clear the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, which defeated the bill two years ago, and did not take it up last year.

“Nothing’s changed. Nothing’s changed, and I don’t see the votes to get it out of committee,” Gladden told WBAL News.

Last month a state panel recommended the death penalty be abolished.