The quote from Senator Rona Kramer (D 14) from one of the articles is particularly telling as Sen. Kramer was apparently the key vote for the amendment offered by Sen. James Brochin (D 42) which passed and made clear that repeal was not going to pass the Senate:
Sen. Rona E. Kramer, a fellow Montgomery County Democrat, said the delegate raised "an extremely important argument."
"Sometimes, the death penalty goes beyond wanting to make the family feel better," Kramer said in an interview yesterday. "It can be about making them feel safe and secure. The safety and security of witnesses - that hadn't really been raised before."