Florida Gov. Rick Scott issued an executive order Saturday to reassign the case of a man accused of shooting and killing two Kissimmee police officers on Friday night.
The case of Everett Glenn Miller, the suspect in the shooting, will be reassigned from State Attorney Aramis Ayala to State Attorney Brad King, according to the official press release.
Florida Governor reassigns Kissimmee officers shooting case; death penalty possible for suspect https://t.co/qbZWALkk9B pic.twitter.com/vwO0TO0Hs1
— ActionNewsJax (@ActionNewsJax) August 20, 2017
Miller is accused of shooting and killing officer Matthew Baxter and Sgt. Richard "Sam" Howard.
The release said that State Attorney Ayala decided in March to not seek the death penalty in any case prosecuted by her office.
Supreme Court rules that death penalty cases can proceed in Florida
Scott said he has the authority to reassign cases when he determines that the reassignment will serve in the interest of justice.
Earlier on Saturday, Scott gave his condolences to the families of the officers.
Our grieving hearts become even heavier with the terrible news of Sgt. Sam Howard's passing. (1/2)
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) August 19, 2017
Ann and I are praying and mourning with the Howards, Baxters and the entire @kissimmeepolice family. (2/2) https://t.co/CrgbvfcWG4
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) August 19, 2017
“Last night’s violence against our law enforcement community is reprehensible and has no place in our state," Scott said in the release. "In Florida, we have zero tolerance for violence and those who attack our law enforcement. Today, I am using my executive authority to reassign this case to State Attorney Brad King to ensure the victims of last night’s attack and their families receive the justice they deserve.”
“Two Florida police officers were brutally murdered and the victims’ families deserve a prosecutor who is willing to consider all sentences, including the death penalty," Attorney General Pam Bondi said in the release. "That is why the Governor and I agree the investigation and prosecution of this case must be reassigned.”
Cox Media Group