Last week, the Governor of the State of Maryland signed a bill presented to him by the Maryland legislature and with his signature, the death penalty was abolished in Maryland.  

In doing so, Gov. Martin O’Malley brought Maryland into the history books as the sixth state in as many years to do away with capital punishment.  If you’re keeping score, these six states are shown below in dark purple (thanks to the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty for this great infographic).  

Now, Maryland becomes the 18th state to abolish the death penalty.  As for the five people who set on Maryland’s Death Row, unfortunately the new law does not automatically alter their sentencing – but Governor O’Malley has stated on the record that he will be reviewing their cases, one by one, as he considers using his power to commute their death sentences.  

Meanwhile, as we posted earlier and as FoxNews points out this week, at the same time that Maryland abolished capital punishment, the Florida legislature has decided to speed up executions in the Sunshine State.