Monique Worrell beat incumbent Andrew Bain to retake her position as Ninth Circuit state attorney in the November election.

A man convicted of murdering an Osceola County couple in 2018 will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Ninth Circuit State Attorney Monique Worrell Wednesday, the culmination of months of back-and-forth between DeSantis and Worrell over her approach to the office of chief prosecutor.

In the days since 19-year-old Keith Moses was arrested following deadly shootings in Pine Hills, questions have followed — including why he was on the street.

Russ Gibson announced Thursday he had filed to run for re-election in the county’s 2024 race for the role.

Florida’s attorney general is not just the state’s top prosecutor. The holder of the job also pledges to protect the interests of Floridians, whether that’s going after consumer fraud or price gouging, or taking part in national lawsuits against groups that take advantage of residents.

Florida’s attorney general is not just the state’s top prosecutor. The holder of the job also pledges to protect the interests of Floridians, whether that’s going after consumer fraud or price gouging, or taking part in national lawsuits against groups that take advantage of residents.

Aramis Ayala won the Democratic nomination for Florida attorney general.

Incumbent Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody faces no Republican challengers for the Aug. 23 Florida primary, but three Democrats are vying to challenge her in the November general election.

A criminal defense attorney and social activist who made headlines as the "Florida grim reaper" is vying for the seat of Florida's attorney general.

One day after Markeith Loyd was sentenced to death, the lead prosecutor on the case announced he is stepping down as a prosecutor and headed into private practice.

The Florida Division of Elections website shows Ayala filed to run for the position Wednesday.

Three candidates have thrown their hat into the ring for U.S. Rep. Val Demings’ seat in Congress.

Former state attorney Aramis Ayala is exploring a run for U.S. Senate in an attempt to flip one of Florida’s two seats currently held by Republicans.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A former Orange County judge accused of molesting a girl will not be facing charges, according to a court memorandum. [TRENDING: Winter storm shuts down Fla. schools | Fla. man arrested in Capitol riot: I was following Trump’s orders | Shoe removed from 341-pound croc]AdGov. In another interview with prosecutors, the girl denied Apte had touched her breasts. Upon further investigation, the girl also told interviewers she reported the alleged molestation to a teacher and a guidance counselor. When interviewers went to cross-reference the story, the two denied the girl had accused Apte of abuse.

CELEBRATION, Fla. – A man accused of killing his wife and three young children inside their Celebration home last year will stand trial in September. At a status hearing held Wednesday, a judge set Sept. 27 as the date for Anthony Todt’s murder trial. The hearing was the first since Todt found out he will no longer be facing the death penalty. Former State Attorney Aramis Ayala decided not to seek the death penalty because of concerns about Todt’s mental health. Todt is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of animal cruelty for the deaths of his wife, three children and dog.

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – The Orange-Osceola State Attorney’s Office won’t seek the death penalty against the man accused of murdering a married couple in Kissimmee more than two years ago, according to court records. Ayala was initially seeking the death penalty in all three cases. Ayala previously announced she would not seek the death penalty in any case. When she first announced plans to not seek the death penalty in 2019, then-Gov. This was Aramis’ first week, beginning her term with a discussion about death penalty.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala will not seek the death penalty against Anthony Todt, who stands accused of killing his wife and three children at a home in Celebration last year. Ayala, who has made headlines in the past due to her stance on the death penalty, filed a notice of intent to not seek the death penalty in the case of Todt and several other high-profile cases. News 6 has reached out to Ayala, who did not seek re-election, for comment but has not heard back. He made similar claims in the two phone calls to his sister in March and April, suggesting that Megan Todt had tried to kill the children before. Todt told his sister in a phone call from jail that he couldn’t have stopped his family from being slain — because he wasn’t around.

The State Attorney’s Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit, which oversees cases in Orange and Osceola counties, unveiled three new diversion programs Monday. The new programs target those caught driving with a suspended license and combat human trafficking and underage drinking. The State attorney’s office is also working with two University of Central Florida students to dissuade underage drinking. The pilot initiative aims to help victims of human trafficking avoid prostitution charges and potentially get help. The goal is to end that cycle.”Rossman said in 2019, there were close to 120 prostitution offenses that crossed the state attorney’s office.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Democrat Monique Worrell has been declared the winner of the Orange-Osceola state attorney race. As of 11 p.m. Tuesday, she had 66% of the vote with 342 out of 348 precincts reporting. [LIVE RACE RESULTS: Scroll to bottom of story to see all race returns]RACE DETAILS BELOWAfter a heavily contested primary, voters had the choice of two candidates to replace Aramis Ayala as the state attorney for Orange and Osceola counties. He’s been endorsed by former Orange County sheriffs Kevin Beary and Lawson Lamar. Monique Worrell (D)Monique Worrell has earned endorsements from Ayala, Sen. Bernie Sanders and singer John Legend.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – After a heavily contested primary, voters now have the choice of two candidates to replace Aramis Ayala as the state attorney for Orange and Osceola counties. Before the November election, get to know more about the two candidates vying for the position of top prosecutor. Here’s what you need to know:Jose Torroella (NPA)Jose Torreolla says he wants to bring truth and fairness to the office if he’s elected. He’s been endorsed by former Orange County sheriffs Kevin Beary and Lawson Lamar. Click here or visit ClickOrlando.com/results2020 to learn more about what you can expect to see on your ballot.

Find All Race Results HereORLANDO, Fla. – On Nov. 3, voters in Flagler and Volusia and Orange and Osceola counties will decide their next state attorneys. In Orange County, with Aramis Ayala not running for re-election, either Jose Torreolla or Monique Worrell will become the next Orange-Osceola state attorney. In the 7th Judicial Circuit race, Republican incumbent R.J. Larizza is running against independent candidate Don Dempsey to keep his role as Flagler-Volusia State Attorney. Check all the races in Central Florida and statewide in the dropdown menu below, and get more information on the ClickOrlando.com Results 2020 page.

Find All Race Results HereORLANDO, Fla. – Some of the key races in Orange County include sheriff and state attorney. Orange County Sheriff John Mina looks to hold off Tim Lucas Adams and Winston Johnson. Meanwhile, with Aramis Ayala not running for re-election, either Jose Torreolla and Monique Worrell will become the next Orange-Osceola state attorney. Check out all the Orange County races, including how residents voted for president, in the list below. Check all the races in Central Florida and statewide in the dropdown menu below, and get more information on the ClickOrlando.com Results 2020 page.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – People who are arrested on charges of resisting law enforcement without violence may not necessarily face jail time under outgoing State Attorney Aramis Ayala’s new policy. She laid out her new diversion program Tuesday saying, effective immediately, her office will change the way it prosecutes resisting an officer without violence cases. Ayala said this new diversion program is focused on education and mitigating injustice within the community. Ayala admitted during the news conference she had not spoken to local law enforcement about her office’s new diversion program. But these decisions should be thoughtful, and carefully considered by all members of the law enforcement community and their stakeholders.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – More than 30 community leaders packed inside a room at The Experience Christian Center Thursday morning to find solutions on how to stop the violence in Orange County. [RELATED: Crimeline still seeking tips in deaths of 14-year-old, 3-year-old killed]This comes after one week after 14-year-old Denis Atkinson was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Orange County last week. Today was a real meeting of pulling a lot of individuals together.”McRae showed proposals brought by the leaders. One of them is a proposal to reduce gun violence in Orange County. After the meeting, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said he is committed to working with the community leaders.

Monique Worrell beat out three democratic candidates to win the Aug. 18 primary election for state attorney in what was considered a crowded field with 42% of the vote. Asked if that handed her the primary election win, she said the momentum began well before those commercials aired. “I was sworn in as an Assistant State Attorney. I carried a badge in the same way that all other Assistant State Attorney’s did.”AdWorrell also had the endorsement of the current 9th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Aramis Ayala. After the primary election Ayala eliminated the position of Chief Assistant State Attorney which Barra held.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. After her failed bid to get elected as the next state attorney of Orange and Osceola counties, Deborah Barras position within the office has been eliminated and shes instead been reassigned to the post-conviction unit. State Attorney Aramis Ayala, who did not seek re-election, released a statement Monday saying that her office would no longer have a chief assistant state attorney. Barras former chief assistant state attorney responsibilities will be given to three other assistant state attorneys. Mark Wixtrom will field policy questions and manage day-to-day interactions with Assistant State Attorneys in my office. Barra was one of four Democratic candidates seeking to replace Ayala next year as Orange-Osceola State Attorney.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. No matter the results of the election, residents in Orange and Osceola counties are guaranteed to have a new state attorney serving them starting next year. Four Democrats have qualified to run for the race and fill the role that will be vacated by current Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala. Barra also sits on Ayalas death penalty review panel, a group of prosecutors who decide whether the death penalty is appropriate in a first-degree murder case. (WKMG)Ryan Williams, a longtime assistant state attorney in Floridas Ninth and Fifth Judicial Circuits, resigned from Ayalas office after she announced in March 2017 that her prosecutors wouldnt seek the death penalty in any case. Williams was one of the earliest candidates in the race, announcing his intent to run in March 2019.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The conversation about criminal justice reform is both important and ongoing in our country right now. They are: Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala, author Agnes Gomillion, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition president Desmond Meade and attorney Mark O’Mara. He’s known for his efforts to civically engage local communities and push for alterations to national criminal justice policies. Since then, he’s served as a legal analyst for CNN and spoken on topics including race, criminal justice reform, guns and self-defense. He founded Justice Outreach, a nonprofit designed to identify and fix problems in the criminal justice system.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala on Tuesday released her offices Brady list that includes officers who may have credibility issues when it comes to testifying on behalf of the state. The list includes law enforcement officers from the Orlando Police Department, the Orange County Sheriffs Office and the Kissimmee Police Department, among others. Those who are on the list are not forbidden from testifying but prosecutors should proceed with caution if they plan on calling upon someone on the list. We recognize that our office should be held to the highest ethical standards possible, which is why we are releasing our initial Brady list today, Ayala said in a news release. Below is the Brady list provided by Ayalas office:

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. State Attorney Aramis Ayala has filed formal charges against the man accused of camping on Disneys Discovery Island during the coronavirus pandemic. [RELATED: Report: Man caught camping on Disneys Discovery Island says it was tropical paradise]In April, Deputies said they were called to the 4300 block of World Drive after McGuire was seen at Disney. Court records show McGuire told investigators he was sleeping inside one of the buildings on the island. Deputies said he told investigators he was not aware the property was closed. He was ordered to not return to any Disney World property.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Harbor House of Central Florida is asking for the community’s support as the nonprofit continues offering services to domestic violence victims during the coronavirus pandemic. Due to the guidelines laid out by the White House and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding limiting social gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic, Harbor House has had to postpone some of its fundraising events. Harbor House could receive money back for orders placed through Amazon Smile, according to the release. “Whatever you give, know that it makes a big difference in the lives of domestic violence survivors at Harbor House,” Harbor House officials said. If you or someone you know is being abused, you can reach a Harbor House advocate by calling 407-886-2856.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala says she is collaborating with allies to help combat domestic abuse as concern around the coronavirus grows in Central Florida. Officials said the efforts are meant to assist in protecting victims of domestic violence, child abuse and animal cruelty as people are asked to stay home more often and for a longer period of time. “At the end of the day we want to make certain that victims’ lives are safe,” Ayala said. According to the State Attorney’s Office, data shows domestic violence and child abuse increases during financial stress, with the virus contributing to factors that may result in a higher likelihood of the abuse toward women, children and pets. A coalition of Central Florida leaders, including those tasked with preventing abuse and providing a safe haven for victims of domestic violence and child abuse, discussed the resources available to those who may be in need of assistance.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The estranged husband of Nicole Montalvo, a St. Cloud woman found slain last year in Osceola County, formally entered a plea Tuesday morning in court. Christopher Otero-Rivera, indicted by a grand jury last week, pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, abuse of a body and tampering with evidence. He pleaded not guilty to second degree murder, abuse of a dead body and tampering with evidence. Cloud woman | Sheriff pushes for murder charges to be filed in Osceola mother’s death]Montalvo’s remains were found in October on the property of the family’s home.

Cloud man has been indicted on second-degree murder charges in connection with his estranged wife’s death, court records show. Christopher Otero-Rivera has been in custody since Nicole Montalvo’s remains were found on the Rivera family’s yard in late October, according to Osceola County deputies. An Osceola County clerk said Otero-Rivera has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of second-degree murder, tampering with evidence and abuse of a dead body while Rivera was indicted on abuse of a dead body, accessory after the fact and tampering with evidence charges. Rivera was previously charged with abuse of a dead body and failure to report a death. He was indicted on new charges of accessory after the fact, abuse of a dead body and tampering with evidence.

Cloud man accused of killing his estranged wife is asking a judge to throw out one of the criminal charges against him. According to the motion, prosecutors missed a 90-day deadline to bring him to trial on the misdemeanor charge. Cloud mom’s death incriminated son in jailhouse letter | Murder suspects’ family member told detectives he saw St. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order removing the murder case from Ayala’s office and reassigning it to neighboring State Attorney Brad King. Under Florida law, prosecutors must be ready to bring a murder case to trial withing 175 days of a suspect’s arrest.

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – A man accused of killing his wife and three children at their Celebration home last year has been indicted on first-degree murder charges and will face the death penalty, according to Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala. [RELATED: Celebration murder suspect claimed dead wife was sleeping, deputies say | Here’s why the man accused of killing his family in Celebration is facing federal charges | Sheriff: Man killed wife, 3 kids in Celebration home]He was also indicted on an animal cruelty charge because the family’s dog, Breezy, was also found dead, according to authorities. Ayala added that the decision to seek death is separate from her beliefs and instead is a result of a decision reached by her office’s death penalty review board. “Despite my position on the death penalty, my death penalty review board they move forward, they charge on,” Ayala said. Officials have not said how the family was killed but a report from the Medical Examiner’s Office noted that Megan Todt and her two boys were stabbed although Zoe Todt was not.

He asked during a news conference that death penalty be sought against whomever was responsible for the 33-year-old woman’s death. [RELATED: ‘Blame and lies:’ State attorney calls out Osceola sheriff amid Nicole Montalvo’s death investigation | Gov. DeSantis removes Nicole Montalvo murder case from State Attorney Ayala amid fallout]“During that meeting it became painfully obvious that the State Attorney was unhappy with my comments regarding the death penalty and she asked me to stop making comments regarding the death penalty. There is no statute of limitations in this case.”Ultimately, DeSantis made the decision to reassign the Montalvo case to neighboring State Attorney Brad King. “Prosecutors all over the state have secured convictions for murder without knowing the manner of death,” Gibson said.

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – At an unveiling of a new domestic violence vehicle, Sheriff Russ Gibson says he is waiting on Florida’s governor to make a decision in how Nicole Montalvo’s murder case will be prosecuted and by who. Ron DeSantis to reassign the case to a new state attorney altogether. "It is safe to say that the dispute between Sheriff Gibson and state attorney Ayala is now public, personal and appears to acrimonious," Moody wrote in a letter last week. Montalvo’s brother earlier this week issued a statement on behalf of the family that they are terrified by how this played out. The family has started a change.org petition to fight to get the law changed to make domestic violence charges a felony.

Florida's attorney general wants Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala to be removed from a high-profile murder case. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000.

Angel Rivera and his son, Christoper Otero-Rivera, were arrested in October in connection with Nicole Montalvo’s death, but neither has been formally charged with murder. [Watch the state attorney’s full remarks at the top of this story]She said she received a call Thursday from the state office to ask if she needed help prosecuting this case. “My heart goes out to those who have been impacted by Nicole’s death," Ayala said. “From the beginning our goal is to bring justice to Nicole Montalvo, her family and the citizens of Osceola County. ­­My office will continue to work to ensure justice for Nicole Montalvo, her family, and the citizens of Osceola County,” Gibson said.

ORLANDO, Fla. – A judge on Tuesday declined a motion by Markeith Loyd's defense to remove the death penalty from his murder cases. Loyd faces first-degree murder charges in the deaths of his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon, and Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton, both of whom were shot to death. Loyd’s attorneys had argued that the decision should have been decided by State Attorney Aramis Ayala, who announced after Clayton's death that she would not seek the death penalty against Loyd -- or anyone. [Timeline: How the hunt and capture of Markeith Loyd unfolded]Gov. Ayala later implemented a panel in her office to determine whether the death penalty should be used in murder cases in her jurisdiction.

READ: State Attorney Ayala's letter to State Attorney KingGov. "After reviewing several Executive Orders, it is clear that 22 executive assignments to you have expired," she wrote. "The ramifications of expired Executive Orders could question your jurisdiction." News 6 investigated and found out those expired executive orders include the murder case of Markeith Loyd, which expired on March 16. She and her husband called King's office and the governor's office Wednesday afternoon, and they got results within hours.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The mother of homicide victim Sade Dixon spoke out Friday in support of State Attorney Aramis Ayala's decision to not seek the death penalty for her daughter's accused killer or anyone else. Rick Scott expressed outrage for Ayala's decision to not pursue capitol punishment for Markeith Loyd. Jaeger Lane, who now lives in Florida, said she was "extremely proud of Ayala's decision." I offered to have a full conversation with him regarding my decision about death penalty. Law enforcement leaders were quick to condemn Ayala decision, including Orlando police Chief John Mina, whose officer was shot and killed on Jan. 9.

“I will not be seeking the death penalty in the cases handled in my office,” Ayala said. Ayala referred a bill passed Tuesday that will require a unanimous jury recommendation before the death penalty can be imposed. "At the time that I was campaigning, (the) death penalty was in that flux created that brought us to this position," she said. She said that while she has personal beliefs about the death penalty, she put them aside and analyzed whether the evidence supported her decision. Harris did not seek the death penalty for the suspect receiving mass protests from law enforcement and politicians.

A new state attorney has been elected for Orange and Osceola counties.