(Annapolis, MD) — Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and NAACP president Benjamin Jealous are among opponents who are working to eliminate the state’s death penalty.

O’Mallye and Jealous want the General Assembly to repeal capital punishment, citing the risk of executing an innocent person. Bills to repeal the death penalty in Maryland have failed in the past, but the two leaders are hopeful it may earn enough votes this time around.

Proponents of the death penalty say some crimes warrant the punishment and that advances in DNA technology can now prevent wrongful convictions.