This story was last updated on: 11:57 p.m., Monday, March 27, 2017.
On Monday, Republicans who control the Florida House recommended slashing $1.3 million and 21 jobs from State Attorney Aramis Ayala's office, the Ninth Judicial Circuit.
- Florida House budget slashes $1.3 million from State Attorney Aramis Ayala's office
- Money shifted to state attorneys who take on her death penalty cases
- Ayala refuses to seek the death penalty
The decision was fueled by Ayala's decision not to seek the death penalty for Markeith Loyd, who is accused of murdering an Orlando police lieutenant and his pregnant ex-girlfriend.
Ayala said she would not seek the death penalty in cases handled by her office, saying the death penalty was not a crime deterrent and costs more than imprisoning defendants for life.
Gov. Rick Scott reassigned the case to State Attorney Brad King.
The money would be shifted to King and other state attorneys who take on any death penalty cases from the Ninth Circuit.
A status hearing Tuesday will discuss the Markeith Loyd case.
A judge will determine whether Loyd will have a professional evaluate his competency. It's to help decide whether Loyd is capable of representing himself, which he is insisting on.
Meanwhile, Ayala has filed a motion to keep her on the Loyd case. King filed a motion to strike Ayala's motion to stay on the Loyd case.