While a death penalty repeal proposal was defeated in the Maryland Legislature, a bill creating yet another death penalty study commission did pass. One might have thought that the same persons of sense who defeated the repeal would have insured that the commission was balanced. Apparently not, according to this editorial in the Annapolis Capital, titled "Death penalty study's results are preordained."

There's no suspense about what the 19-member commission set up by the legislation will come up with by Dec. 15. The governor will appoint the chairman and 11 of the members. Gov. Martin O'Malley opposes capital punishment, and there's no serious doubt which point of view a majority of the panel will wind up favoring.

Maybe it's better if the stacking is totally obvious. If everyone knows the fix is in from the beginning, the final propaganda piece will have little effect.