Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersMarch 20, 2017

State Attorney Aramis Ayala has filed for a stay of Gov. Rick Scott‘s order reassigning the Markeith Loyd police slaying case to neighboring State Attorney Brad King. Scott responded Monday afternoon saying he believes he has the authority to do so through executive order. That sets up a court battle over the powers of the […]

Mitch PerryMarch 19, 2017

Florida Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Bittel walked into political version of a lion’s den over the weekend in Tampa and came out it not only unscathed, but maybe even a bit emboldened. “That was a warmer greeting than I was expecting,” the recently-elected leader said in reaction to the modest applause that he received after he was […]

Mitch PerryMarch 17, 2017

After Rick Scott removed Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala from the case of accused cop killer Markeith Loyd after she announced she would not pursue the death penalty in his or any other case during her tenure. Later, Dover House Republican Ross Spano called on Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren to condemn Ayala’s actions. Warren refused, saying that he would seek out the death penalty only […]

Scott PowersMarch 17, 2017

A group of church and civil rights leaders joined mothers of slaying victims from Florida and Central Florida Friday outside the office of State Attorney Aramis Ayala. They were there to send a message to her and the community. “We stand with you, State Attorney Ayala,” proclaimed Christine Henderson of Equal Justice USA of Florida. She and a […]

Joe HendersonMarch 17, 2017

I’m not a big fan of the death penalty. I think having condemned inmates spend 20 years or more on death row while their appeals play out thwarts the argument that is a deterrent. Inmate Douglas R. Meeks, for example, has been awaiting execution since March 21, 1975. He is one of 16 inmates who […]

Scott PowersMarch 17, 2017

Orlando’s State Attorney Aramis Ayala‘s decision to not pursue death penalty cases drew blistering criticism from one of Florida’s police union heads who called her a coward and a traitor. John Rivera, president of the Florida Police Benevolent Association, blasted Ayala in a press release saying that her decision outraged law enforcement officers. He called […]

Scott PowersMarch 16, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott has used an executive order to pull the prosecution of alleged cop-killer Markeith Loyd away from Orlando’s State Attorney Aramis Ayala and to reassign it to State Attorney Brad King in Lake County. Scott’s unprecedented move comes hours after the unprecedented announcement by Ayala that she would not prosecute death penalty charges, […]

Scott PowersMarch 16, 2017

Former State Attorney Jeff Ashton – former boss and then election opponent to current State Attorney Aramis Ayala – said Thursday he believes she might not have legal ground to take the unprecedented “no death penalty” position she announced earlier Thursday. Ashton also said he believes Ayala may have adopted the position to please her political benefactor, […]

Scott PowersMarch 16, 2017

Saying she has concluded that Florida’s capital punishment laws are unjust for all, State Attorney Aramis Ayala announced Thursday she would not pursue the death penalty in any cases in Florida’s 9th Judicial Circuit, which includes Orlando. The policy begins with perhaps the most obvious and highest-profile potential death penalty case that has come along […]

Scott PowersFebruary 23, 2017

In a debate Thursday between Orlando’s top prosecutor and public defender, new State Attorney Aramis Ayala said she is looking at rethinking how the 9th Judicial Circuit considers death penalty cases, while Public Defender Bob Wesley urged her not to change policies. Ayala, elected on a judicial reform platform last fall as the top prosecutor for […]

Tag: Aramis Ayala

Aramis Ayala files stay to keep Markeith Loyd case

Stephen Bittel concedes to Florida progressives – ‘it will take time for you to trust me’

Julianne Holt expresses concerns about Rick Scott’s move on Aramis Ayala

Church, Civil Rights leaders, slaying victims’ mothers rally for Aramis Ayala

Joe Henderson: Aramis Ayala should follow law in death penalty case, not try to make it

Police union head John Rivera calls Aramis Ayala coward

Rick Scott yanks cop-killer case from Aramis Ayala, reassigns it

Jeff Ashton: Aramis Ayala may not have legal grounds to ban death penalty

Orlando State Attorney Aramis Ayala vows no death penalties

Aramis Ayala pledges change in how circuit considers death penalty cases