The top prosecutor in the Orlando area said Thursday she is no longer going to seek the death penalty, igniting condemnation from top state officials and law enforcement leaders but also praise from some civil liberties groups.
Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala said she has decided to no longer seek the death penalty in first-degree murder cases after conducting a review. The most visible case immediately affected by her decision is that of Markeith Loyd, who is charged with killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend and Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton.
