Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineMarch 21, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott wouldn’t say Tuesday whether he would permanently suspend State Attorney Aramis Ayala. But Scott insisted his special prosecutor would be the one to seek the death penalty against Markeith Loyd, despite Ayala’s challenge to his order reassigning her. Under questioning by reporters at the state Capitol, Scott said only: “We are going […]

Scott PowersMarch 20, 2017

Elected prosecutors who declare they will not pursue the death penalty – as State Attorney Aramis Ayala of Orlando did last week – are rare and far between. And she might be unique in American history for being both very public and firm on that policy. Still, Robert T. Johnson of The Bronx, New York should know […]

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 […]

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 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, […]

Staff ReportsMarch 13, 2017

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Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation Monday requiring a unanimous jury recommendation before the death penalty can be imposed. Lawmakers passed the bill out of the House and Senate last week, rushing the measure through the process in hopes of fixing the state’s death penalty law. The House voted 112-3 to approve the measure Friday, one […]

Brendan FarringtonMarch 10, 2017

Florida will require a unanimous jury recommendation before the death penalty can be imposed under a bill lawmakers sent to Gov. Rick Scott on Friday. Lawmakers rushed to get the bill passed on the fourth day of their legislative session in hopes of fixing a death penalty law that’s been found unconstitutional twice since January […]

Michael MolineMarch 9, 2017

The Senate voted Thursday to require unanimous jury verdicts to sentence someone to death, and to advance a measure that would require prosecutors to prove “stand your ground” immunity shouldn’t apply in criminal cases. The death penalty bill, SB 280, which the Senate passed unanimously, was a response to a Florida Supreme Court ruling requiring […]

Associated PressMarch 9, 2017

Florida lawmakers are trying for the second year in a row to fix the state’s death penalty law. The Senate on Thursday voted unanimously to require a unanimous jury decision to impose the death penalty. The House is also prepared for a vote on the issue. It could be the first major bill sent to […]

Tag: death penalty

Rick Scott reviewing options in Aramis Ayala death-penalty situation

Has any elected prosecutor ever done what Aramis Ayala is doing?

Aramis Ayala files stay to keep Markeith Loyd case

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

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

Rick Scott signs death penalty fix into law

Florida’s death penalty fix heads to Rick Scott

Senate votes to raise bar for death penalty, ‘stand your ground’ prosecutions

Florida tries again to fix death-penalty law