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WEBVTT AND MOMENTS AGO THEGOVERNOR ASKED HER TO REMOVEHERSELF FROM THE CASE.MICHELLE: GREG FOX BEGINSCOVERAGE AT THE ORANGE COUNTYCOURTHOUSE ON THE DO -- WITHMORE ON THE DECISION.GREG: THIS IS A DECISION THATHAS ALL KINDS OF REACTION COMINGIN.WE GOT REACTION FROM THE SHAREOF ANY GOVERNOR'S OX -- OFFICEAND LEGAL EXPERTS.THIS WAS ANNOUNCED ABOUT 10:00THIS MORNING.LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OFTHESE PICTURES FROM THE NEWSCONFERENCE.ARAMIS AYALA OUTLINED FIVEREASONS WHY SHE MADE THEDECISION AND GOING FORWARD WHYSHE DOES NOT PLAN TO SEEK THEDEATH PENALTY IN OTHER MURDERCASES.SHE SAYS THERE IS NO PUBLICSAFETY BENEFIT AND NO INCREASEIN PUBLIC SAFETY FOR OFFICERSFROM CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.SHE SAID IT IS NOT A CRIMEDETERRENT AND THE COST TO HANDLELEGAL APPEALS IN DEATH PENALTYCASES FAR OUTWEIGHS THE COST OFHOUSING AND MAKE HER LIFE.SHE BELIEVES EVEN IN THE CASEAGAINST MARKEITH LOYD, INDICTEDIN THE MURDER OF HIS PREGNANTFORMER GIRLFRIEND AND ORLANDOPOLICE OFFICER LIEUTENANT DEBRACLAYTON, THE DEATH PENALTY DOESNOT BRING CLOSURE TO LOVED ONESOF MURDER VICTIMS.>> IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TOMAKE A DETERMINATION OF WHETHEROR NOT THIS IS JUSTICE FOR THECOMMUNITY, NOT IN INDIVIDUALCASES.GREG: THAT WAS HER A SHORT WHILEAGO.ALSO COMING INTO HER OFFICE HEREAT THE COURTHOUSE COMPLEX, THESTEPFATHER AND MOTHER OF SADEDIXON, THE FORMER GIRLFRIENDALLEGEDLY MURDERED BY MARKEITHLOYD.THE FAMILY WENT INSIDE THEOFFICE TO TALK PERSONALLY WITHHER ABOUT THE DECISION NOT TOSEEK THE DEATH PENALTY IN THISCASE.WE TALKED TO OUR LEGAL EXPERTRICHARD HORNSBY WHO SAID IFTHERE EVER WAS A POSTER CHILDFOR A DEATH PENALTY CASE, IT ISMARKEITH LOYD, TWO MURDERINDICTMENTS AGAINST HIM.THE GOVERN ASKED ARAMIS AYALATO RECUSE HERSELF FROM TH CASE.NOT EXACTLY SURE HOW THAT WOULDWORK LEGALLY AS ARAMIS AYALA ISNOT PERSONALLY TRYING THE CASE.THAT IS THE REACTION FROM THEGOVERNOR'S OFFICE.LAWMAKERS REACTING INTALLAHASSEE.WE HAVE ALL OF THAT COMING UPFOR YOU TODAY.

Advertisement State Attorney Aramis Ayala won't seek death penalty while in office Share Shares Copy Link Copy

While discussing the Markeith Loyd case Thursday, State Attorney Aramis Ayala said she will not seek the death penalty during her administration. Ayala said she made the decision after conducting a review. >>Download the WESH 2 News app for iOS and Android The most visible case immediately affected by Ayala's decision is Loyd's, who is charged with killing Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton and his pregnant ex-girlfriend. Ayala's statement was made during a news conference she called to discuss her decision not to seek the death penalty in the Loyd case. Ayala says there is no evidence of improved public safety for citizens or law enforcement with the death penalty, and that such cases are costly and drag on for years. Ayala's decision comes just days after Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill requiring a unanimous jury recommendation before the death penalty can be imposed. RAW VIDEO: State Attorney Aramis Ayala discusses death penalty cases Scott responded to the news conference by saying Ayala should recuse herself from the Loyd case. Scott said he "completely disagrees" with Ayala's decision as it applies to Loyd. RAW: Markeith Loyd tells judge he will defend himself during profanity laced tirade "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," Scott said. MORE: Prosecutors won't seek death penalty for Markeith Loyd Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said "State Attorney Ayala's decision is a blatant neglect of duty and a shameful failure to follow the law." Orlando police Chief John Mina told WESH 2 News that he is upset with Ayala’s decision. Mina said he had spoken to Ayala, and he believes crimes like the ones Loyd is accused of are the reason for having the death penalty.