Scott deserves criticism, not Ayala.

I’m disappointed the Sentinel published an editorial criticizing State Attorney Aramis Ayala’s death-penalty position (“Ayala puts own view above law,” Saturday).

I hoped the newspaper, as a good-government champion, would have supported Ayala as a rare politician willing to take a principled stand.

The death penalty is junk food for the criminal-justice system. While the death penalty sounds good, it’s not good for victims, the justice system, taxpayers or a civilized society.

Volumes of academic research prove the death penalty is disproportionally and unfairly imposed on minorities and poor people; it’s ridiculously expensive; and it does not deter crime.

Ayala’s decision was lawful and within her authority. It’s a shame the Sentinel did not criticize Gov. Rick Scott for overreaching his authority when he stole the Markeith Loyd case from Ayala.

Does Scott’s action establish a precedent that would require Ayala to beg for the governor’s permission on future prosecutions?

Voters have a right to disagree with Ayala’s position. They can express their disapproval at the next election.

If the Sentinel thinks the governor’s move was OK, then I urge you to call on him to unleash his executive power in Miami-Dade County. On Friday the state attorney for that community announced she would not prosecute four prison guards who trapped Darren Rainey — a mentally ill inmate — in a cell block shower and boiled him to death.

Since Scott is so concerned about justice, then surely, he will pursue murder charges in that Miami-Dade case.

David D. Porter Orlando