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Statement

STATEMENT OF KRISTIN ROWE-FINKBEINER, Executive Director of MomsRising.org, On The Repeal of the Maryland Death Penalty (SB 276), (HB 295)

May 2, 2013
Maternal Health

Lisa Lederer, 202-371-1996

America’s Moms Cheer Repeal of Maryland Death Penalty
“With Governor O’Malley’s signature, Maryland has become the 18th state in the country to abolish capital punishment. This repeal represents another step toward a more just nation, replacing the death penalty with a sentence of life without parole and also increasing funds to the families of crime victims.
 
“Over time, it has become clear that the death penalty does not serve as a deterrent and is application of the penalty is often flawed.
 
“Nationally, 142 people condemned to death have been proven innocent of their crimes since 1976. The evidence used to put people on death row is often weak – indeed DNA evidence is only available in 10 percent of such cases. Recent research has found that false testimony and mistaken identity are not uncommon with death row convictions. Repealing the death penalty puts an end to the possibility of executing innocent people.
 
“It also helps address racial disparities in death penalty cases. A 2003 University of Maryland study found that the primary factors leading to a death row conviction in Maryland were the race of the victim and the jurisdiction of the crime. While more than three in four homicide victims in Maryland are African-American, all the Maryland murders that have resulted in an execution since 1978 have been cases in which the victims were white. 
 
“MomsRising and our partners will continue to advocate for increased support to the needs of victims’ families. Through money saved by repealing the costly death penalty, funds should be reallocated to the Maryland Victims of Crime Fund, which assists murder victims’ families. Helping families deal with the trauma of a violent crime will contribute to healthier and safer communities throughout Maryland.
 
“We applaud Governor Martin O’Malley for acting decisively on this important legislation. The law is a victory for all Marylanders and for the country as a whole.”
 

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MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to increase family economic security, decrease discrimination against women and moms, and to build a nation where businesses and families can thrive. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families, including criminal justice reform, immigration policy reform, and gun safety. MomsRising is working for paid family and medical leave, affordable, high quality childcare and early learning, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes women — particularly moms and women of color — and so many others. MomsRising advocates for access to healthy food for all kids, health care for all, earned sick days, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. MomsRising maintains a Spanish language website: MamásConPoder.org. Sign up online at www.MomsRising.org — and follow us on our blog, and on Twitter and Facebook.