A new political ad airing in central Florida alleges that former state attorney Monique Worrell failed to prosecute a murder suspect, resulting in a murder spree that claimed three lives. The ad begins: “People died when Monique Worrell refused to prosecute dangerous criminals.” Worrell, a Democrat, was first elected in 2020 to the post of circuit state’s attorney, which oversees the prosecution of defendants in Orange and Osceola counties. But last year, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended him for neglecting his duties. The governor was replaced. She was with Andrew Bain, who ran as an independent to keep his job. The Florida Republican Party paid for the ads, showing Mr. Bain as their leading candidate. “19-year-old Keith Moses has been arrested and faces first-degree murder charges,” the ad continues. Keith Melvin Moses was arrested on February 22nd. He is awaiting trial for the murders of 9-year-olds Tiyona Major, Nasacha Augustine and local news reporter Dylan Lyons, set to be held in 2023. “Here are the facts: This career criminal was arrested, and he should have been prosecuted, Monique Worrell.” “We let him get away, and three people died,” the ad reads. Let’s know the facts. Was Moses a “career criminal”? That’s a fact. WESH 2 News obtained body-worn camera footage from Moses’ arrest on November 12, 2021, 14 months before the murder. He and two others were arrested for marijuana possession, and deputies recovered a discarded handgun from the vehicle. In an arrest affidavit, a representative wrote: degree of murder and armed robbery with a firearm. ” But as for the claim that Moses “should have been prosecuted,” that is largely false. Although deputies indicated the handgun would be tested for a match to Moses’ DNA, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office did not submit it for testing. Although no marijuana was detected and there was no DNA match linking the gun to Moses, prosecutors in Worrell released Moses, citing a lack of evidence to prove a felony. Given that decision, it’s true that Worrell “released him,” but now we know. Even Tyonna Major’s family doesn’t blame Worrell, providing WESH 2 News with the following statement: “It’s pathetic that Republicans chose to capitalize on the death of a 9-year-old child, a promising young reporter, and a journalist,” said Mark Nejameh, an attorney for the victim’s family. An innocent young woman who tells a terrible lie in an attempt to deceive the world. Keith Moses’ only arrest during Monique Worrell’s administration was for 4 grams of marijuana. All of his other arrests occurred before she took office. In my 40 years of practice, I have never seen or heard of anyone being detained for such a minor crime. These facts are well known and have been publicized locally and nationally for months. There is no excuse for the shameful actions of the Republican Party in publishing lies in an attempt to mislead the public about the truth. ” As for why RPOF is paying for advertising to benefit the RPOF Chairman, who is an independent candidate. Evan Power told WESH 2 News: “Andrew Bain is clearly the best candidate for Orange County and Osceola County State’s Attorney, given his lifelong support for the rule of law as an Assistant State’s Attorney and Ninth Circuit Judge. His outstanding track record That’s clearly why he was appointed state attorney by Governor DeSantis. Meanwhile, Bane’s opponent, Monique Worrell, has prioritized her own political agenda, including drug trafficking and gun violence. RPOF supports Orange County in supporting Andrew Bain because he puts the rule of law above personal politics. Campaign spokesman Andrew Bain declined to comment on the ad. Voters now know the full story behind the Moses affair. before deciding who will serve as state’s attorney.
Central Florida —
A new political ad airing in Central Florida alleges that former state attorney Monique Worrell failed to prosecute a murder suspect, resulting in a murder spree that claimed three lives.
“People died when Monique Worrell refused to prosecute dangerous criminals,” the ad begins.
Worrell, a Democrat, was first elected to the 9th Circuit state’s attorney post in 2020, overseeing the prosecution of defendants in Orange and Osceola counties.
But last year, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended her for neglecting her duties.
The governor appointed Andrew Bain, who ran as an independent to keep his job, to replace her. The Florida Republican Party paid for the ads, showing Bain as their likely candidate.
“Keith Moses, 19, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder,” the ad continues.
Keith Melvin Moses was arrested on February 22, 2023, and is awaiting trial for the murders of 9-year-olds Tiyona Major, Nasacha Augustine, and local news reporter Dylan Lyons.
“Here are the facts: This career criminal should have been arrested and prosecuted, but Monique Worrell let him go and three people died,” the ad reads.
Let’s check the facts. Was Moses a “career criminal”? That’s a fact.
WESH 2 News obtained body-worn camera footage from Moses’ arrest on November 12, 2021, 14 months before the murder. He and two others were arrested for marijuana possession, and officers recovered a discarded handgun from the car.
In an arrest affidavit, a deputy wrote:
“It should be noted that all three subjects have multiple prior firearm possession charges, including attempted first-degree murder and armed robbery with a firearm.”
However, as for the claim that Moses “should have been prosecuted,” that is largely false.
Although deputies indicated the gun would be tested for a match to Moses’ DNA, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office did not submit it for testing.
Based on the small amount of marijuana found and the lack of a DNA match linking Moses to the gun, prosecutors in Worrell released Moses for lack of evidence to prove a felony.
Given this decision, it is true that Worrell has “released” him, but you can already see the legal rationale behind it.
Even Tyonna Major’s family doesn’t blame Worrell, providing WESH 2 News with the following statement:
“I hope people with political ambitions have the decency to campaign on their own merits, rather than using a family tragedy as a political attack ad.”
Mark Nejameh, a lawyer for the victim’s family, said:
“It is pathetic that the Republican Party used the death of a 9-year-old child, a promising young reporter, and an innocent young woman to tell such egregious lies in an attempt to deceive the public. During Monique Worrell’s administration, The only incident Keith Moses was arrested in was for 4 grams of marijuana. All of his other arrests occurred before she took office. These facts are well known and have been publicized locally and nationally for months, shame on the Republican Party for publishing lies in an attempt to mislead the public about the truth. There is no excuse for what should be done.”
Why is RPOF paying for advertising to benefit the RPOF Chairman, who is an independent candidate? Evan Power told WESH 2 News:
“Andrew Bain’s consistent support for the rule of law as an assistant state’s attorney and Ninth Circuit judge makes him the clear candidate for state’s attorney in Orange and Osceola counties. His impressive track record is clearly the reason he was appointed state attorney by Governor DeSantis.Meanwhile, Mr. Bain’s opponent, Monique Worrell, has put her own political agenda first. He did not faithfully enforce the law, even in cases such as trafficking and gun crimes.RPOF supports Orange County in supporting Andrew Bain because he puts the law above personal politics. This is because they prioritize the control of
Campaign spokesman Andrew Bain declined to comment on the ad.
Voters now know the full story behind the Moses case before deciding who to elect as state’s attorney.
