This story was last updated on: 6:09 p.m., Thursday, March 23, 2017.

Attorneys in Central Florida are talking about the death penalty and how Gov. Rick Scott's decision to remove State Attorney Aramis Ayala off the Markeith Loyd case could impact them.

  • Former circuit judge talks about death penalty cases
  • O.H. Eaton Jr.: 'I've never heard of a governor interfering'
  • State Attorney Aramis Ayala's office might challenge the order

"I've never heard of a governor interfering with a prosecutors decision as to how to charge a defense," said O.H. Eaton Jr., a former circuit court judge for the 18th Judicial Circuit of Florida.

Eaton presided over cases for decades. For 17 years, Eaton taught other judges how to deal with death penalty cases. He said he never saw a governor make a decision like the one that was made in the Loyd case.

Eaton on Thursday met with dozens of attorneys at the Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers meeting. The death penalty, specifically referring to Ayala's prosecutorial discretion, was discussed.

"If they allow the governor to interfere with this prosecution, then that means the governor will be able to interfere with any prosecution," Eaton said.

Loyd is accused of killing his ex-girlfriend Sade Dixon, her unborn child and Orlando Police Lt. Debra Clayton.

Last Thursday, Ayala said she wouldn't seek the death penalty against Loyd and filed a motion in court to back up her decision.

Scott initially asked Ayala to recuse herself. Hours later, he then announced he was reassigning the Loyd cases to State Attorney Brad King.

Scott didn't file the official reassignment order until Friday — a day later.

Eaton says the debate over the death penalty in this case could come to the timing of those documents.

"It's a typical murder case," Eaton said. "It's not a difficult murder case. It's going to move through the murder system in a reasonable competent fashion."