The Florida Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Gov. Rick Scott (R.) has the power to remove death penalty cases from controversial Orlando-area State Attorney Aramis Ayala (D.).
The 5-2 ruling means that it was within Scott’s legal authority under the state Constitution to remove 24 capital cases from Ayala’s purview, the Orlando Political Observer reports.
The court initially heard the case in July. It was prompted by Ayala’s refusal in March, just three months after entering office, to seek the death penalty in the case of Markeith Lloyd, charged with killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend and Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton. She insisted further on never seeking the death penalty, saying it is costly, inhumane, and can cause proceedings to drag on for years.
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