Thursday, February 1, 2001 MARYLAND

Lawmakers Call for Execution Moratorium

A coalition of Maryland lawmakers announced yesterday that they have submitted legislation to halt executions in Maryland, at least temporarily, until scholars can determine whether the death penalty is meted out fairly.

The legislators introduced Barry Scheck, co-founder of the New York-based Innocence Project, who will help lobby on behalf of the moratorium. Scheck's advocacy group has used DNA evidence to exonerate 82 wrongly convicted inmates, including 10 condemned to die.

The lawmakers, joined by Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan (D), argue against executing anyone until a state-funded study of capital punishment is complete in 2002. Gov. Parris N. Glendening (D) has opposed a moratorium, saying he carefully reviews each death penalty case.