The Maryland House of Delegates voted 82–56 on Friday to approve a bill abolishing capital punishment. The Senate already gave its approval last week, and Gov. Martin O’Malley, who is a strong supporter, has already pledged to sign it. The last time the governor pushed for such action, in 2009, he came up short. When the bill is signed into law, which should happen after the legislative session ends in April, Maryland will become the 18th state without capital punishment.
