State Attorney Ayala: Death-Penalty Cases Is Not The Best Interest of Victims’ Families or Justice

By  //  March 16, 2017

State Attorney Aramis Ayala Will Not Seek Death Penalty For Markeith Loyd

ABOVE VIDEO: State Attorney Aramis Ayala won’t pursue the death penalty against murder suspect Markeith Loyd or in any other cases, she said Thursday morning during a news conference about her decision.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA (WFTV) – State Attorney Aramis Ayala won’t pursue the death penalty against murder suspect Markeith Loyd or in any other cases, she said Thursday morning during a news conference about her decision.

Ayala said she reached her decision after reading research that indicated that the death penalty has no public safety benefit.

“I have given this a lot of thought, and it’s become clear that pursuing death-penalty cases is not the best interest of victims’ families or justice,” she said.

Research showed that the death penalty doesn’t increase safety for law enforcement officers or deter violent crimes, Ayala said.

She said capital punishment often leads to years of appeals and other court hearings, and that it costs more than a life sentence.

When she was asked about the legality of her decision, Ayala said Florida law gives her “the discretion of whether or not to seek it.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE