Maryland Group Wants Voters To Decide Whether To Repeal Of Death Penalty

BALTIMORE - The Maryland group that led the effort to overturn three controversial measures on last year's ballot is setting its sights on the repeal of Maryland's death penalty, announcing on Friday it is seeking to give voters in 2014 the final say on whether the state keeps its ultimate punishment.

Del. Neil Parrott, R-Washington County, head of MDPetitions.com, said his group is putting all of its energy into gathering signatures to get onto the 2014 ballot a referendum on the death penalty repeal. Gov. Martin O'Malley signed the repeal into law on Thursday.

Parrott said the death penalty is necessary to deter or punish criminals who committ the most heinous crimes, such as the two men who set off bombs at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three and injuring hundreds.
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