Story highlights Presidential candidate Martin O'Malley says he believes death penalty should be abolished

Death penalty costs states more than a life sentence does, he says

Martin O'Malley, a former governor of Maryland and mayor of Baltimore, is seeking the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

(CNN) On Friday night, South Carolina will host a Democratic presidential forum. And while the field of candidates may now be down to three, there are still many issues confronting this country that need to be discussed. These are critical issues that have not received the attention they deserve, but raise questions that go right to the heart of who we are as a people.

It would, of course, be a glaring oversight to ignore the struggles South Carolina has faced over criminal justice reform -- challenges we as a country are all grappling with. However, there is a particular, fundamental flaw in our justice system that other candidates appear to lack the commitment to address -- our failed reliance on the death penalty. This is a tragedy both because it is a racially biased punishment, and also ineffective in deterring crime.

Our nation was founded not on fear and retribution. It was born from higher things: freedom, justice, human dignity, and equal rights before the law. And so we must ask ourselves: Are these principles compatible with the "civil" taking of human life? Are these principles compatible with the very real risk of erroneously taking the life of an innocent neighbor? Can we credibly accept any criminal justice plan that does not commit to ending the death penalty for good?

Martin O'Malley

I believe the answer is clearly no. It is time that we, as a nation, abolish the death penalty for good.

Our nation's legacy of slavery and racial injustice find continued offense in our use of the death penalty. Our death row population is more than 40% black -- nearly three times the proportion of the general population.

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