Maryland inmate executed despite cardinal's pleas for mercy

Published: 2005-12-06

BALTIMORE (CNS) -- Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. rejected a high-profile plea from Baltimore Cardinal William H. Keeler and other religious leaders to spare the life of convicted murderer Wesley E. Baker. Baker was put to death by lethal injection Dec. 5 at the Metropolitan Transition Center prison in Baltimore. He became the 1,002nd person to be executed in the United States in the past 30 years and the fifth in Maryland. Cardinal Keeler had visited Baker on death row exactly one week before his execution, using the dramatic gesture to ask Ehrlich for mercy. The cardinal had also joined Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington and Bishop Michael A. Saltarelli of Wilmington, Del. -- whose dioceses include parts of Maryland -- in signing a letter petitioning the governor to commute Baker's sentence to life without parole. "I appreciate the sincerity and thoughtfulness of the arguments presented to me on Mr. Baker's behalf," said Ehrlich in a statement. "After a thorough review of the request for clemency, the facts pertinent to this petition and the judicial opinions regarding this case, I decline to intervene."

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .