Prosecutor Pulled In Accused Cop Killer Case

ORLANDO, FL — Gov. Rick Scott has pulled Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala from the Markeith Loyd first-degree murder case. Ayala announced on Thursday she would not seek the death penalty for the man accused of killing his pregnant girlfriend and Orlando Police Lt. Debra Clayton. The announcement sparked immediate and harsh criticism, including Scott's demand she recuse herself.

Scott's request for Ayala to pull herself from the case was met with refusal. The denial prompted Scott to pull her from the case and give it to Lake County State Attorney Brad King instead.

“Let’s remember, Markeith Loyd is accused of executing a brave law enforcement hero and murdering his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon. Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Norman Lewis was also killed while actively searching for Markeith Loyd following these heinous murders," Scott said in a Thursday afternoon statement. "I am outraged and sickened by this loss of life and many families’ lives have been forever changed because of these senseless murders. These families deserve a state attorney who will aggressively prosecute Markeith Loyd to the fullest extent of the law and justice must be served.”

Ayala announced her decision to seek life rather than death during a Thursday morning news conference. Ayala said that seeking death is not in the community’s best interest “or the best interest of justice.”

Ayala’s decision comes after Scott restored prosecutors’ ability to seek the death penalty following legal battles related to the state’s sentencing scheme being ruled unconstitutional. The law now requires a unanimous jury recommendation for death.

Despite the removal of the hurdle, Ayala was quoted by the Orlando Sentinel as saying the death penalty doesn’t provide justice to victims’ families.

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“There is no justice when victims are being misled about an end that I doubt will occur,” she said.

Following Ayala's announcement, the Sentinel spoke with former Orange-Osceola State Attorney Jeff Ashton, who was defeated by Ayala in the August primary. Ashston said Ayala had no opposition to the death penalty when she worked for him. Ashton told the Sentinel her change of heart was "ridiculous."

Ayala, the Sentinel reported, ousted incumbent Ashton with a $1.4 million campaign boost from a political action committee that has ties to George Soros, a known liberal activist.

After hearing rumors the state would not seek death in Loyd’s case, Orlando Police Chief John Mina issued a statement condemning the decision.

“I have seen the video of Markeith Loyd executing Lt. Debra Clayton while she lay defenseless on the ground,” Mina said. “She was given no chance to live. A cop killer – who also killed his pregnant girlfriend – should not be given that chance.”

The decision to not seek the death penalty, Mina said, has left him “extremely upset.”

“The heinous crimes that he committed in our community are the very reason we have the death penalty as an option under the law," Mina said.

Loyd, 41, is accused of shooting and killing Clayton on Jan. 9. The former Orlando Police Department master sergeant was promoted to the rank of lieutenant posthumously. Loyd had been a wanted fugitive since Dec. 13 when he was accused of killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon, 24, and wounding her brother.

Clayton, 42, was a 17-year veteran of the Orlando Police Department. She was gunned downed after police say she encountered Loyd at a Walmart store off John Young Parkway.

Clayton was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, but the mother of one, succumbed to her injuries at 7:40 a.m. Jan. 9, Mina reported.

Shortly after Clayton was shot, Orange County motorcycle deputy Norman Lewis was struck and killed by a motorist while responding to the manhunt for Loyd.

Status hearings in Loyd’s first-degree murder case have been set for later this month. A trial is expected to begin in June, according to Orange County court records.

Photo of Lt. Debra Clayton courtesy of the Orlando Police Department