State Representative Bob Cortes releases a statement
advocating for the suspension of State Attorney Aramis Ayala
“Governor Scott’s removal of State Attorney Aramis Ayala from the Markeith Loyd case was the only way to fully ensure that justice for the victims of these heinous crimes will be done. State Attorney Ayala’s unilateral decision to not seek the death penalty would do great damage to our judicial system, and yesterday’s decision to keep her off the case was the right one. I hope her removal will continue to be upheld and that the victims’ families will find some measure of comfort that the case against Mr. Loyd is being prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
While I’m glad State Attorney Ayala is off this case, I continue to believe she should be suspended, and I urge Governor Scott to seriously consider that option. By saying that she will not pursue the death penalty in this or any other case, she is failing to fully do the job she was elected to do. For that reason, in addition to the Loyd case, all of State Attorney Ayala’s cases should be re-assigned to prosecutors who will consider the full range of appropriate options for seeking justice in the Ninth Circuit.”
