The Baltimore Sun from Baltimore, Maryland • A1

SUN THE BALTIMORE LIGHT FOR ALL TUESDAY Informing more than 1 million Maryland readers weekly in print and online April 29, 2014 Price $2. Our 177th year, No. 119 Demise rekindles death-row debate terms commuted to reflect the state's new attitude toward the death penalty. Booth-El's attorney, Michael Millemann, said Monday that in the aftermath of the repeal last year, it's illogical that prisoners continue Maryland death-row inmates Jody Lee Miles of Wicomico County was sentenced to death in 1998 for fatally shooting Edward Atkinson, a theater manager, at a roadside in Mardela Springs in 1997. Heath William Burch of Prince George's County was given a death sentence in in 1996 after being convicted of killing neighbors Robert Francis Davis, 72, and Cleo Davis, 78, in Capitol Heights in 1995.

Anthony Grandison of Baltimore County was sentenced to death in 1984 for ordering the 1983 murders of David Scott Piechowicz and Susan Kennedy at a Pikesville motel. Vernon Evans, also of Baltimore County, was sentenced to death in 1984 after being convicted as the hired killer in the Grandison case. The sentence was vacated, then reimposed in November 1992. Source: Maryland Attorney General's office Ban the Box' bill is passed Measure is intended to help ex-convicts find employment John Booth-El A year after repeal of capital punishment, four still awaiting execution By Jeff Barker and Jonathan Pitts The Baltimore Sun Convicted double murderer John Booth-El died in prison over the weekend, but a thorny debate outlived him: What should happen to the four other death-row inmates in legal limbo after the repeal of Maryland's capital punishment law? Booth-El's death, which authorities said appeared to be from natural causes, rekindled debate over whether the inmates all convicted of murder and sentenced years ago should have their to exist under threat of execution. "The repeal of the death penalty should justify eliminating those sentences," said Millemann, who had represented Booth-El since 1989.

"It makes no sense to conclude the death penalty doesn't work, that we don't need it or want it, then not to apply that reasoning to the guys on death row. It ought to be ended for everybody." See DEATH ROW, page 8 Devastation in Arkansas By Yvonne Wenger and Luke Broadwater The Baltimore Sun Controversial legislation intended to help ex-convicts find jobs is headed to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake for her expected signature after the City Council gave the measure final approval Monday. The "Ban the Box" bill will force Baltimore employers to wait to ask about a job candidate's criminal history until a conditional offer has been extended. The bill passed despite an intense lobbying effort from business leaders, who said they should have the right to vet prospective employees early in the process. The legislation requires private employers with 10 or more workers to remove from job applications a box ex-offenders must check stating they have a criminal record.

Positions for which a criminal history would bar a candidate are exempt. For instance, a child care center could inquire about sexual abuse convictions, officials said. In a statement after the Council's 10-4 vote Monday night, Rawlings-Blake called the legislation "a critical component to not only helping to reduce unemployment, but also improving public safety by addressing recidivism." "When it comes to the crime fight, we have to use every tool available, which includes creating opportunities for those who have paid their debt to society and want to turn their lives around," the mayor said. Katie Allston, director of Marian House in Waverly, said the legislation will be life-changing for those who have been unable to get work because of a criminal See 'BAN THE BOX', page 7 3Si SmMlsmmk Sat 1 -PE- -If1- CARLO ALLEGRIREUTERS PHOTO CARLO ALLEGRIREUTERS PHOT People sift through what is left of homes after a tornado hit Vilonia, Ark. At least 15 people were killed in Arkansas including 10 in Vilnnia when a tornado struck Sundav.

TWn weather-related deaths were rennrted in Oklahoma and Tnwa. Severe weather was expected across parts of the Midwest on Monday night. ARTICLE, NEWS PG 6 SUN INVESTIGATES SUMMARY OF THE NEWS In spring, teens' fancy turns to the 'promposaT High school students aim for most clever invitations Balto. Co. woes in rollout draw criticism of Common Core FISH KILL: State officials are investigating a wide-ranging fish kill spotted Monday, stretching from Fells Point in Baltimore harbor out into the Chesapeake Bay.

Authorities have yet to pinpoint a cause, though warm weather tends to bring a die-off in local waters almost every year. NEWS PG 2 SMART METERS: The large number of indoor meters poses an installation challenge for BGE. MD. BUSINESS PG 1 By Julie Scharper The Baltimore Sun Mr. Paul, the teacher explained, wanted to invite Miss Claire to a princess ball.

For that, Tracy Aitken told her ldnder-gartners at Hollifield Station Elementary, the high school senior needed their help. The 22 children colored in letters. When Claire Lorenz, 17, arrived for her regular volunteer shift, the kids hoisted them over their heads: "WILL YOU GO TO PROM WITH ME?" Nearby, Paul Lutchenkov, 17, stood with a bouquet. "I just had the perfect opportunity. I knew I had to go for it," the Mount Hebron senior said of his proposal, which he planned by email with Aitken.

"I knew it would make it special for Claire." It's the season for scavenger hunts, banners unrolled at Orioles games, messages spelled out with glow sticks and bedsheets. In short, it's promposal time. For those who remember asking a date See 'PROM POSALS', page 22 INSTANT REPLAY: After almost a month's experience with baseball's new instant replay system, Orioles players and coaches give it a mixed review. SPORTS PG 1 By Liz Bowie The Baltimore Sun Union officials and lawmakers seized on Baltimore County's bungled rollout of a Common Core curriculum to renew calls to give teachers and school districts more time to implement the new rigorous education standards. The county school system paid $2.1 million last year to edCount LLC, the company it hired to write new language-arts course plans, even though it described the work as unsatisfactory in email exchanges obtained by The Baltimore Sun.

The district severed ties with the company in June and had a team of county teachers and administrators take up the work. "The implementation of the Common Core has been rocky for too many schools across Maryland," said Betty Weller, preside COMMON CORE, page 22 RAIN 52 49 KIM HAIRSTONBALTIMORE SUN PHOTO Paul Lutchenkov's Mount Hebron High prom invitation to Claire Lorenz was delivered by a class of kindergartners. HIGH LOW Heavy rain Wednesday SPORTS PG 8 bridge sports 7 opinion news 12 lottery news 4 movie directory news 9 horoscopes news 9 obituaries news 10 puzzles md. business 5, sports 7 tonight on tv md. business 5 comics md.

business 4 ORIOLES PIRATES.