NAACP, O'Malley, call for death penalty repeal

January 15, 2013 | 2:30 pm
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Photo - NAACP President Benjamin Jealous, right, speaks at a rally in support of repealing Maryland's death penalty in Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, who said he will be making repeal a priority, argued at the rally that the death penalty is a waste of resources that could be better used to fight crime in more productive ways. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) — NAACP President Benjamin Jealous, right, speaks at a rally in support of repealing Maryland's death penalty in Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, who said he will be making repeal a priority, argued at the rally that the death penalty is a waste of resources that could be better used to fight crime in more productive ways. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Gov. Martin O'Malley says he believes the Maryland General Assembly has the will to repeal capital punishment this session.

O'Malley, who said Tuesday he will be making repeal a priority, says the death penalty is a waste of resources that could be better used to fight crime in more productive ways.

The potential repeal of capital punishment has received added attention recently, after Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller said he believes it will pass this year. Miller, who supports the death penalty, also predicted a repeal bill will be petitioned to the ballot for voters to decide in 2014.

Voters approved ballot questions on same-sex marriage and Maryland's version of the Dream Act in November. O'Malley said Tuesday: "I don't fear the judgment of the people of Maryland."