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State Attorney Aramis Ayala

Cortes continues to call on Gov. Scott for Ayala suspension

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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.”

Cortes applauds Ayala removal from Markeith Loyd case, continues to call for suspension

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State Representative Bob Cortes commends Governor Scott for removing State
Attorney Ayala from the case, but her actions today call for a suspension.

State Representative Bob Cortes applauded Governor Rick Scott’s decision to remove State Attorney Aramis Ayala from the Markeith Loyd case, but continues to call for her suspension. In a letter to the Governor last week, in addition to asking Scott to suspend Ayala, Cortes asked the Governor to review all pending death penalty cases in the Ninth Circuit and reassign her cases to other state attorneys. The move came after Ayala announced last week that she would not seek the death penalty in the case of Markeith Loyd or any other case.

“It was entirely appropriate for the Governor to remove Ayala from this case, and it remains so given the lack of cooperation we have seen from her today,” said Cortes.  I continue to believe strongly that State Attorney Ayala’s disregard for Markeith Loyd’s victims demonstrates the irreparable harm she could do to justice in the Ninth Circuit and warrants her removal from office. If she continues to follow through with her promise to not hear current death penalty cases, including six pending cases, justice may be thwarted for additional victims of heinous crimes. I appreciate the Governor’s swift response thus far. I am confident he will continue to act within the scope of Florida law to ensure that justice is done for Markeith Loyd’s victims and everyone in the Ninth Circuit.”

Gov. Scott: State Attorney Aramis Ayala Must Recuse Herself

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Governor Rick Scott released the following statement on State Attorney Aramis Ayala’s decision not to seek the death penalty for Markeith Loyd, who is charged with killing Lt. Debra Clayton of the Orlando Police Department.
Governor Scott said, “I want to be very clear, Lt. Debra Clayton was executed while she was laying on the ground fighting for her life. She was killed by an evil murderer who did not think twice about senselessly ending her life. I completely disagree with State Attorney Ayala’s decision and comments and I am asking her to recuse herself immediately from this case. She has made it abundantly clear that she will not fight for justice for Lt. Debra Clayton and our law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day.”