Gov. Scott takes Markeith Loyd case away from state attorney
Ayala won't contest Scott's order
Updated: 6:51 AM EDT Mar 17, 2017
Bob Kealing
WEBVTT ENS NOW?BOB: THE OUTRAGE OVER THEDECISION STARTED LAST NIGHT WITHCHIEF JOHN MINA SENDING OUT ATWEET EXPRESSING HISDISPLEASURE, THEN IT SPREAD ANDGOVERNOR RICK SCOTT, WHO WAS INCENTRAL FLORIDA TODAY, ASKED FORSTATE ATTORNEY I GALA TO RECUSEHERSELF -- AYALA TO RECUSEHERSELF.HE SAID, EARLIER I ASKED HER TOIMMEDIATELY RECUSE HERSELF FROMTHE CASE.SHE INFORMED ME THIS AFTERNOON,SHE REFUSES TO DO THAT.IN HIS WORDS, SHE HAS MADE ITCLEAR SHE WILL NOT FIGHT FORJUSTICE, THAT IS WHY I AM USINGMY EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY TO ASSIGNTHE CASE TO BRANDON KING.AND A DEATH PENALTY PROPONENTSOF THIS KIND OF THING SHOULD NOTHAPPEN.>> I THINK SHE WAS ELECTED BYTHE PEOPLE OF THE NINTH CIRCUITSERVE HER IN HER POSITION TOMAKE THESE DECISIONS, SO I DON'TTHINK IT DESERVES TO BEOVERRULED.BO I HAVE RECEIVED WORD FROMTHE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THATTHEY ARE WORKING ON A RESPONSE.AS FAR AS THIS NEW PROSECUTOR,BRAD KING, IS A VERY WELL-KNOWNFIGURE TWO MARION AND SUMTERCOUNTY'S.HE HAS SERVED AS A SPECIALPROSECUTOR BEFORE.WE WILL HAVE MUCH MORE ON ALL OF
State Attorney Aramis Ayala Thursday evening said she will cooperate with an executive order issued by Florida Gov. Rick Scott removing her from prosecuting Markeith Loyd. "My office will follow that order and fully cooperate to ensure the successful prosecution of Markeith Loyd," Ayala said in an email. Earlier in the day Ayala announced she would not seek the death penalty against Loyd in connection with the murder of Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton or Loyd's pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon. Ayala said she has no plans to seek the death penalty in any case but acknowledged she could reconsider in the future. That decision brought an outcry from law enforcement statewide. In a tweet Wednesday night, Orlando Police Chief John Mina responded to Ayala's decision, "I am extremely upset she will not be seeking the death penalty." He later issued a statement in support of Scott's actions. Scott assigned State Attorney Brad King, whose circuit includes Lake, Marion and Sumter counties. In 2005, King was brought in as a special prosecutor during a criminal prosecution of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer over allegations of absentee ballot fraud. Those charges were later dropped. After issuing the executive order, Scott said of Ayala, "She made it clear she will not fight for justice. That's why I'm using my executive order." WESH 2 legal analyst Richard Hornsby said Florida Supreme Court precedent supports Scott's actions. King will be brought in to pursue a capital case. "He will be brought in to pursue the death penalty and to send a message to Aramis Ayala," Hornsby said. There's no timeline for when the case transfer will take place. It was not immediately clear if Loyd himself was made aware of what was happening. A status hearing in his murder cases is scheduled for Monday. Loyd continues to represent himself.
State Attorney Aramis Ayala Thursday evening said she will cooperate with an executive order issued by Florida Gov. Rick Scott removing her from prosecuting Markeith Loyd.
"My office will follow that order and fully cooperate to ensure the successful prosecution of Markeith Loyd," Ayala said in an email.
Earlier in the day Ayala announced she would not seek the death penalty against Loyd in connection with the murder of Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton or Loyd's pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon.
Ayala said she has no plans to seek the death penalty in any case but acknowledged she could reconsider in the future.
That decision brought an outcry from law enforcement statewide.
In a tweet Wednesday night, Orlando Police Chief John Mina responded to Ayala's decision, "I am extremely upset she will not be seeking the death penalty." He later issued a statement in support of Scott's actions.
Scott assigned State Attorney Brad King, whose circuit includes Lake, Marion and Sumter counties. In 2005, King was brought in as a special prosecutor during a criminal prosecution of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer over allegations of absentee ballot fraud. Those charges were later dropped.
After issuing the executive order, Scott said of Ayala, "She made it clear she will not fight for justice. That's why I'm using my executive order."
WESH 2 legal analyst Richard Hornsby said Florida Supreme Court precedent supports Scott's actions. King will be brought in to pursue a capital case.
"He will be brought in to pursue the death penalty and to send a message to Aramis Ayala," Hornsby said.
There's no timeline for when the case transfer will take place. It was not immediately clear if Loyd himself was made aware of what was happening.
A status hearing in his murder cases is scheduled for Monday. Loyd continues to represent himself.