WBAL.com

There has not been an execution in Maryland in over five years, and WBAL News has learned that executions may not resume any time soon.

Prince George’s County State Sen. Paul Pinsky, who co-chairs the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review (AELR) told WBAL News that his panel needs more time to review new regulations for lethal injections.

The Maryland Court of Appeals ordered the state to draft new regulations in late 2006, when it stayed the executions of convicted murderer Vernon Evans.

Pinsky told WBAL News that he sent a letter to Gary Maynard, Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services notifying him of the delay.

[...]

In 2009, the death penalty ban passed the House of Delegates, but failed to clear the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. Lawmakers then approved restrictions on prosecutors seeking the death penalty.

A spokesman for Governor Martin O’Malley told WBAL News a death penalty repeal is not on the governor’s legislative agenda, but he would sign the bill because he opposes the death penalty.

The last execution in Maryland took place in December, 2005, when convicted murderer Wesley Baker was put to death.

There are five men on Maryland’s death row.