Gov. Martin O'Malley will sign legislation Thursday morning abolishing
capital punishment in Maryland -- a goal of his since he took office in
2007.

The governor's approval will make Maryland the 18th state to repeal the
death penalty. A throng of capital punshment opponents -- representing
such groups as the NAACP and the Catholic church -- is expected to turn
out for the bill-signing ceremony at the State House in Annapolis.

On Wednesday night the Archdiocese of Baltimore announced plans to
illuminate the Basilica of the Assumption from dusk Thursday through
dawn Friday to celebrate repeal.