Anti-Death Penalty Prosecutor Has 21 Cases Pulled

ORLANDO, FL — Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala’s workload just got a whole lot lighter following Gov. Rick Scott’s decision to pull 21 first-degree murder cases from her office. Citing Ayala’s refusal to seek the death penalty in eligible cases, Scott announced Monday that these trials will now be placed into the hands of Lake County State Attorney Brad King.

“Each of these cases I am reassigning represents a horrific loss of life,” Scott said in a Monday statement. “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.”

Ayala first ran afoul of Scott when she announced her decision in March to not seek the death penalty in the case of accused cop killer Markeith Loyd. Following Ayala’s announcement in the Loyd case, Scott issued an order pulling her office from the prosecution. King was also placed on that case.

In announcing her decision in the Loyd case, Ayala also indicated she had no intention of seeking the death penalty at all during her term in office. Former Orange-Osceola State Attorney Jeff Ashton, who was defeated by Ayala in the August primary, spoke with the Orlando Sentinel after Ayala made her stand on the death penalty known. Ashton told the paper Ayala had no opposition to the death penalty when she worked for him. Her change of heart was "ridiculous,” the paper quoted Ashton as saying.

Ayala, the Sentinel reported, ousted incumbent Ashton with a $1.4 million campaign boost from a political action committee that has ties to George Soros, a well-known liberal activist.

“State Attorney Ayala’s complete refusal to consider capital punishment for the entirety of her term sends an unacceptable message that she is not interested in considering every available option in the fight for justice,” Scott said in Monday’s statement.

Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a statement backing Scott’s decision. She commended him “for his swift action for not only protecting citizens of Orlando, but standing up for all crime victims and their families.”

Ayala has not issued a statement in regard to Monday’s decision. She did, however, attempt to challenge Scott’s order in the Loyd case in court late last month.

Ninth Judicial Circuit Court Chief Judge Frederick J. Lauten said Scott was within bound by removing Ayala from the Loyd case. The judge refused to delay proceedings against Loyd despite Ayala's request for a two-week delay so she could prepare an argument for the Florida Supreme Court. Her intent was to remain as prosecutor in Loyd's trial.

Loyd, 41, is accused of shooting and killing Orlando Police Lt. Debra Clayton on Jan. 9. The former Orlando Police Department master sergeant was promoted to the rank of lieutenant posthumously. Loyd had been a wanted fugitive since Dec. 13, 2016, when he was accused of killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon, 24, and wounding her brother.

Clayton, 42, was a 17-year veteran of the Orlando Police Department. She was gunned downed after police say she encountered Loyd at a Walmart store off John Young Parkway. Clayton was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, but the mother of one, succumbed to her injuries.

Shortly after Clayton was shot, Orange County motorcycle deputy Norman Lewis was struck and killed by a motorist while responding to the manhunt for Loyd.

It is unclear if Ayala will take action to recover the 21 cases.

Photo courtesy of Gov. Rick Scott’s Facebook page