Gov. Rick Scott’s Office Accuses State Attorney Ayala of Negligence in Death Penalty Case

By  //  December 6, 2017

Ayala's Office allowed deadline to pass without filing death penalty case

Gov. Rick Scott’s office issued a letter to Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala on Monday in which he accuses her of negligence in her office’s handling of a death penalty case.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s office sent a letter to Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala on Monday demanding answers about a death-penalty review after a missed deadline on a capital case.

In a 5-2 ruling last August, the Florida Supreme Court stripped Ayala of nearly 30 cases after her office declared it would no longer pursue the death penalty. Scott then reassigned the cases to neighboring State Attorney Brad King.

The letter came after Ayala said in October that she would pursue the death penalty against Emerita Mapp, who is accused of stabbing one man to death and injuring another at a Kissimmee motel last April. Weeks later, it was announced that the 45-day deadline to file a notice to seek in that case had passed.

“At best this suggests negligence – and, at worst, willful disregard – in the faithful performance of the duties of your constitutional office,” Nordby wrote. “In any event, it is a clear disservice to the hardworking men and women of the law enforcement agencies in your circuit and to the crime victims and their families impacted by the offenses you are charged to prosecute. They deserve better.”

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ENTIRE LETTER>>>

Florida Supreme Court Upholds Gov. Rick Scott’s Removal of State Attorney Aramis Ayala From Capital CasesRelated Story:
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