The widow of a local officer killed in the line of duty is speaking out after Orlando's chief prosecutor declined to seek the death penalty charge against accused cop killer Markeith Loyd.
“It's just like he’s here all the time in spirit," said Lorraine Yaslowitz Marino.
Marino has a painfully unique perspective when it comes to seeking justice. Her late husband, St. Pete Police Officer Jeff Yaslowitz was shot and killed serving an arrest warrant in 2011.
ABC Action News asked her about the bombshell decision coming from Orlando this week.
“I believe the bible says eye for an eye, I do think that the death penalty should have incurred to this man," said Marino.
State Attorney Aramis Ayala's stand against the capital punishment is now igniting harsh criticism across Tampa Bay.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd posted the following statement on the office's Facebook page,
"I am mortified that State Attorney Aramis Ayala cannot bring herself to seek the death penalty for a man who murdered his pregnant ex-girlfriend and executed a police officer. She needs to resign since she cannot do the job she took an oath to do."
State Attorney Brian Haas, also in Polk County, reiterated his firm stance in support of the death penalty in a video posted Friday on the 10th Judicial Circuit's Facebook page.
"The death penalty should always be an option when an officer is murdered in the line of duty," Haas said in the online video.
“I didn’t have to worry about going through hearings or hearing the stories over and over again of what had happened to Jeff," said Marino.
Marino's killer died during a lengthy standoff with St. Pete Police, sparing her from experiencing future trial.
A process the family of police Lt. Debra Clayton will soon have to go through.
“Don’t let that death go in vain," said Marino. "Let something good, let lots of things that are good come out of their death.”
Ayala stated Thursday that she does not believe the death penalty improves public safety for citizens or law enforcement officers.
Gov. Rick Scott has removed Ayala from the first-degree murder case, tapping State Attorney Brad King to take over.
King serves as state attorney for the 5th Judicial Circuit, representing Hernando, Citrus, Marion, Lake, and Sumpter counties.
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