Nathaniel Lipscomb executed for 1959 rape and murder of three women. Sentence was imposed February 26, 1960. Supreme Court invalidates Georgia death penalty statute, declaring that manner in which death sentences were imposed was arbitrary and violative of Eight Amendment. Maryland Court of Appeals invalidates Maryland death penalty statute on basis of Furman . Reenacted death penalty statute goes into effect.
Statute mandates death in every first degree murder where aggravating circumstance is shown.
Laws of Maryland 1975, Chapter 252. Maryland Court of Appeals concludes that Maryland death statute is mandatory and invalidates on basis of Woodson . Current death penalty statute approved, to become effective July 1, 1978. Laws of Md. 1978, Chapter 3. Supreme Court holds that a defendant may not be precluded from offering into evidence at a capital sentencing proceeding anything in mitigation relevant to the crime or the defendant.