Governor Scott used his executive authority on Monday to remove State Attorney Aramis Ayala from 21 first degree murder cases, another direct result of her refusal to pursue the death penalty under any circumstances.
Governor Scott previously removed Ayala, the 9th Judicial Circuit state attorney, from the Markeith Loyd murder case because she wouldn't pursue capital punishment. He reassigned Loyd and now these 21 other cases to 5th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Brad King.
“Each of these cases I am reassigning represents a horrific loss of life,” Gov. Scott said in a press release. “The families who tragically lost someone deserve a state attorney who will take the time to review every individual fact and circumstance before making such an impactful decision.”
Later in the statement, Gov. Scott says that Ayala’s refusal to consider the death penalty “sends an unacceptable message that she is not interested in considering every available option in the fight for justice.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi said in the release, “I would like to commend Governor Rick Scott for his swift action for not only protecting citizens of Orlando but standing up for all crime victims and their families.”
Scott says King has agreed to review the 21 murder cases.
Markeith Loyd, 31, is accused of murdering Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton on Jan. 9 in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart one month after he was accused of killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon.
King is prosecuting both of those cases after Gov. Scott reassigned them on March 13.
CLICK HERE to read Gov. Scott's executive orders removing Ayala from the cases.
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