Gory Prince George's: Whose side are they on?

Comment: In less than six weeks, since January 1, 2005, 16 people have been murdered in Prince George's County (excluding two killings by police). All or almost all have been women and/or minorities. One was 17, another only 15. Nobody gave these 16 victims a second chance. Nobody gave these 16 victims a choice of a lesser punishment. But 13 Prince George's County Delegates want to help save killers. Are killers more valuable than victims?

HB1159 (Feb 11): Criminal Law - Death Penalty - Repeal

Synopsis: Repealing the death penalty; repealing procedures and requirements related to the death penalty; providing that specified inmates who have been sentenced to death may not be executed and shall be considered as having received a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole under specified circumstances; etc.

Sponsors from Prince George's County:

• Delegate Joanne C. Benson
• District 24 (4 murders since January 1)
• Delegate Tawanna P. Gaines
• District 22 (1 murder since January 1)
• Delegate Anne Healey
• District 22 (1 murder since January 1)
• Delegate Marvin E. Holmes, Jr.
• District 23B (No murders since January 1)
• Delegate Carolyn J. B. Howard
• District 24 (4 murders since January 1)
• Delegate James W. Hubbard
• District 23A (1 murder since January 1)
• Delegate Pauline H. Menes
• District 21 (1 murder since January 1)
• Delegate Doyle L. Niemann
• District 47 (3 murders since January 1)
• Delegate Rosetta C. Parker
• District 47 (3 murders since January 1)
• Delegate Obie Patterson
• District 26 (2 murders since January 1)
• Delegate James E. Proctor, Jr.
• District 27A (1 murder since January 1)
• Delegate Veronica Turner
• District 26 (2 murders since January 1)
• Delegate Michael L. Vaughn
  • District 24 (4 murders since January 1)
• Note: District 25 has had 3 murders since January 1)

2005 homicide summary, map