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Scott Takes 21 More Cases Away From Orlando Prosecutor

Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.
Associated Press
/
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is taking away 21 more first-degree murder cases from a prosecutor who has said she will no longer seek the death penalty.

Scott issued an executive order Monday reassigning cases from State Attorney Aramis Ayala to neighboring judicial circuit State Attorney Brad King.

Ayala has come under fire recently after announcing she wouldn't seek the death penalty against Markeith Loyd or any other defendant. Loyd is charged with killing an Orlando police lieutenant earlier this year, and his pregnant ex-girlfriend. Scott took the Loyd case away from Ayala last month and reassigned it to King.

Ayala is challenging Scott's actions with the Florida Supreme Court. Her office didn't immediately respond Monday to an email from The Associated Press requesting comment.