Scott doubles down on decision to remove Ayala from Loyd's case

DeLAND, Fla. — Florida Gov. Rick Scott said Thursday that he's committed to fighting for the death penalty in murder suspect Markeith Loyd's case.

Scott removed State Attorney Aramis Ayala from the case last week after she announced she wouldn’t pursue the death penalty in Loyd’s case or any others during her tenure.

Loyd is accused of fatally shooting his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon, in December and Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton in January.

Lawmakers in Tallahassee criticized Scott Thursday, saying he is setting a dangerous precedent.

The group said that it puts the governor in the business of potentially reviewing every murder case in the state to determine whether he thinks a defendant deserves the death penalty.

During a roundtable discussion on job creation Thursday in DeLand, Channel 9 asked Scott if he's willing to take the battle all the way to the Florida Supreme Court. The governor doubled down on his belief that the decision is his to make.

“What doesn't make sense to me is, one, that you should always fully prosecute the law,” he said. “That's what all of us expect out of our elected officials.”

Scott said that Loyd's case is so egregious that it demanded his intervention.

“This case in particular, it's just horrible,” he said.

As for other cases, Scott said he’s still looking into his options.

State Attorney Brad King, whom Scott appointed to prosecute the case, said the fight likely won’t be limited to a local courtroom.

Ayala will appear in court Tuesday to try to convince a judge to reinstate her as the prosecutor in Loyd's case.

Cox Media Group