1st death penalty trial taken from Ayala underway in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. — Jury selection began today for a man accused of murdering a neighbor, then setting her home afire to cover up the crime, a death penalty-eligible case that’s been taken from State Attorney Aramis Ayala.

She upset Gov. Rick Scott and others when she announced her intention not to seek the death penalty in any first-degree murder cases in the Ninth Judicial Circuit, based in Orange and Osceola counties. Ayala argued that imposing the death penalty takes too long and is too costly.

State Attorney Brad King, assigned the case, was in court when jury selection began today, but let two assistants working for Ayala to conduct the voir dire.

Juan Rosario is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Elena Ortega, 83. After beating her in her kitchen, he set the home on fire, said investigators.

Jurors today were questioned about their ability to impose the death penalty and whether Ayala's decision had affected how they feel about capital punishment.

King said he would pursue the death penalty in this case.

Ayala has filed a lawsuit that claims Scott made a political decision in taking 23 cases from her office, because he personally disagrees with her stance on the death penalty.