ORLANDO, Florida (PNN) - August 18, 2023 - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday suspended the top prosecutor in Orlando who refused to enforce the law against criminals who went on to commit more crimes, including murder.

"Prosecutors have a duty to faithfully enforce the law. One's political agenda cannot trump this solemn duty. Refusing to faithfully enforce the laws of Florida puts our communities in danger and victimizes innocent Floridians," DeSantis said.

Monique Worrell, Florida state attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit, failed to prosecute 43% of arrests - releasing 16,243 defendants without prosecution, according to state Attorney General Ashley Moody.

"Ms. Worrell is dismissing during the same period nearly four times the number of defendants as are being dismissed or not charged in Palm Beach County," she said, adding, "It is not normal for a prosecutor to come out repeatedly after we have seen tragedy strike and insinuate, 'It's not my fault.' I submit to you this was, in a way, to distract from where fault should have lay."

Even violent felonies were only prosecuted 41% of the time, according to Moody.

"If she were allowed to continue in this office, her failure would continue to cause needless pain, suffering and death," Moody said of Worrell - speaking in tones of intense but controlled anger.

In many cases, Worrell's choice not to prosecute turned lethal, DeSantis noted.

A 17-year-old in Worrell's circuit was arrested for criminal possession of a firearm, he said. She let him go, and he shot and killed his pregnant girlfriend.

Another criminal was arrested for sex abuse of a minor, the governor said. After getting let out on bond by Worrell, he shot and killed two cops, he said.

"I have no doubt that today's decision is not only consistent with the Constitution and laws of Florida. We had a duty to act to protect the public from this dereliction of duty," said DeSantis.

Responding to the removal, Florida Sheriff Grady Judd said that criminals are incentivized by their chances of success, and think, "I'll just shoot them because, heck, after all, I probably won't go to jail."

In response to her removal, Worrell defended her record by calling her approach "unconventional" and "doing things differently".

Of note, Worrell received election funding from billionaire George Soros.

Senator Rick Scott (Fla.), a former governor of Florida, supported DeSantis' decision.

"This is the right move," Scott posted to X. "Democrats’ soft-on-crime policies are eroding our communities and families’ ability to feel safe. In February, I called on Monique Worrell to deliver the justice and accountability needed for the families affected by shootings in her district and said her suspension would be fully justified. She failed to do her job. Families deserve better."

Worrell is the second Soros-funded state attorney removed by DeSantis in the past 12 months, after suspending Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren for violating his oath of office and holding himself above the law in what DeSantis described as a "very very troubling record."