Florida house speaker asks governor to suspend state attorney Aramis Ayala

Richard Corcoran says Ayala's death penalty decision is unconstitutional

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran has called on the governor to suspend a prosecutor for pledging to not seek the death penalty in any case while she is in office.

 

Corcoran said Thursday that Orlando State Attorney Aramis Ayala was "violating the constitution" because she is not even considering the death penalty. Capital punishment is authorized under the Florida Constitution.

 

Corcoran added that if Florida lawmakers had the power to impeach Ayala, they would already be doing so.

 

Gov. Rick Scott removed Ayala from a high-profile police murder case last week after she announced her decision against the death penalty. Ayala argues Scott has overstepped his bounds and filed a motion in response, asking a judge to let her present her argument in court.