More than 40 former judges and prosecutors are supporting State Attorney Aramis Ayala in her lawsuit against Governor Rick Scott. The lawsuit is a de facto political battle over the death penalty.
Former U.S. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli Jr. said Ayala has the right to decide not to seek the death penalty in any case. The brief in support of the Orlando prosecutor is also signed by eight former state Supreme Court justices.
Ayala sued Governor Scott after he removed her from the Markeith Lloyd murder case and dozens of other capitol cases. Ayala said she won’t seek the death penalty while she’s in office. Scott is supported by the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association and the Florida House.
