A Central Florida prosecutor who sparked controversy by refusing to pursue the death penalty in cases that came before her office is announcing she will not run for re-election. Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala said in a video posted on Facebook that her views on capital punishment led her to this decision.
"Now as state attorney those views will not impact the administration of law and I will continue to follow the law," Ayala said. "But I also realize that it is time for me to move forward and to continue the pursuit of justice in a different capacity."
Then-Governor Rick Scott had assigned Ayala's cases to another state attorney because of her stand on the death penalty, and that decision was upheld by the Florida Supreme Court.