Maryland's highest court today ruled that state law requires prison officials to submit their lethal injection procedures to public input -- a decision that could lead to changes in how prisoners are put to death here.

The Court of Appeals, in a split opinion, found that the lethal injection protocols are subject to Maryland's Administrative Procedures Act, meaning that they must be developed under the oversight of the attorney general's office and a legislative committee, and that the public must be given a chance for review and comment.

The case was that of Vernon Evans, the first death row prisoner to have a blog, Meet Vernon.

In its 102-page opinion, the Court of Appeals rejected several other arguments from lawyers for death row inmate Vernon Lee Evans Jr., and said he is not entitled to a new trial or sentencing hearing.

There was a strong dissent by one judge.