Rick Scott takes 21 murder cases from Orlando prosecutor who won't seek death penalty

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Rick Scott took 21 first-degree murder cases away from Orlando-area State Attorney Aramis Ayala after she said she would not seek the death penalty in any cases.

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

The cases were reassigned to Brad King, a longtime proponent of the death penalty and Republican Ocala-based state attorney whose circuit covers five Central Florida counties, including Hernando. Scott shifted the cases under a constitutional provision that lets him do so if he believes it's in the best interests of justice, a power generally reserved for conflicts of interest.

After Ayala announced three weeks ago she wouldn't seek the death penalty, Scott reassigned the case of Markeith Loyd, accused of killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend and Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton. That case was also reassigned to King's 5th Judicial Circuit, over the objections of Ayala, a Democrat first elected in November.

Read more: http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/rick-scott-takes-21-murder-cases-from-orlando-prosecutor-who-wont-seek/2319020