Florida Governor Rick Scott has removed Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala from about two dozen murder cases in an escalating dispute over the death penalty. In March, Ayala announced she would no longer seek the death penalty in any murder cases, including in the case of Markeith Loyd, who’s accused of murdering his pregnant ex-girlfriend as well as Orlando police officer Debra Clayton. In response, Scott took Ayala off that case.
More than 100 judges, former prosecutors and legal experts have expressed their support for Ayala, saying Scott has overstepped his legal authority by removing her from cases, and saying she has the legal discretion to not seek the death penalty. Aramis Ayala is the first African-American state attorney in Florida history, and she’s received racist death threats, including suggestions that she should be lynched, in the wake of her announcement.