Ehrlich Restrained on Death Penalty Ruling

Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. said he was surprised by the the state's high court decision to halt the execution scheduled for this week of Vernon L. Evans Jr., who was first sentenced to die more than two decades ago for the contract killings in Baltimore County of potential witnesses in a federal drug case.

"The facts of this case are egregious, and I support the death penalty," Ehrlich said. "I did find it surprising that a number of issues the court raised have been deliberated repeatedly. They're old issues."

But Ehrlich said he would temper his reaction to the ruling. "I respect the separation of powers. In that respect I cannot, and would not criticize the court for expressing its point of view."