Florida Governor Assigns Prosecutor, Disqualifies Another

FL Governor Executive Orders

Filed March 2nd, 2026

Detected March 4th, 2026

Summary

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 26-42, assigning State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle to prosecute a case involving Dai Asia Shaterria Wright due to a conflict of interest with the original prosecutor, Harold F. Pryor. The assignment is effective immediately and lasts for one year.

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What changed

Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has issued Executive Order 26-42, assigning State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit to handle the investigation and prosecution of Dai Asia Shaterria Wright. This action is necessitated by the original State Attorney for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, Harold F. Pryor, disqualifying himself due to a conflict of interest, as two witnesses in the case are employees of his office. The order is effective immediately and vests the assigned State Attorney with the authority to proceed.

The assigned State Attorney is directed to proceed to the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit and is granted authority for the investigation and prosecution for a period of one year, concluding on March 2, 2027. The assigned State Attorney must notify the Governor if additional time is required before February 2, 2027. All residents and public officials in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit are directed to cooperate with the assigned State Attorney. This executive assignment ensures the faithful execution of laws and avoids any appearance of impropriety in the prosecution of this case.

What to do next

Assigned State Attorney to proceed to the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit and commence investigation/prosecution.
Notify Governor by February 2, 2027, if additional time is required.
Ensure cooperation from residents and public officials in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit.

Source document (simplified)

STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 26-42 (State Attorney Executive Assignment) WHEREAS, the Honorable HAROLD F. PRYOR, State Attorney for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, has advised Governor RON DESANTIS that Dai Asia Shaterria Wright has been arrested for driving under the influence with driving to property or person of another (2 counts), refusal to submit to driving under the influence testing, failure to stop/remain at accident involving non-serious injury, resisting an officer/obstruction without violence, and driving under the influence - alcohol or drugs first offense; and WHEREAS, the Honorable HAROLD F. PRYOR has also advised the Governor that two witnesses of the incident are employees of the state attorney's office; and WHEREAS, the Honorable HAROLD F. PRYOR, to avoid a conflict of interest or any appearance of impropriety, has voluntarily disqualified himself and has requested the executive assignment of another State Attorney regarding the investigation and prosecution of this case and all related matters regarding Dai Asia Shaterria Wright; and WHEREAS, the Honorable KATHERINE FERNANDEZ RUNDLE, State Attorney for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, has agreed to accept an executive assignment in this matter; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the State of Florida and of the ends of justice that the Honorable KA THERINE FERNANDEZ RUNDLE discharge the duties of the Honorable HAROLD F. PRYOR, pursuant to section 27.14, Florida Statutes. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida, in obedience to my solemn constitutional duty to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed," and pursuant to the

Constitution and Laws of the State of Florida, issue the following Executive Order, effective immediately: Section 1. The Honorable KATHERINE FERNANDEZ RUNDLE, State Attorney for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, referred to as the "Assigned State Attorney," is assigned to discharge the duties of the Honorable HAROLD F. PRYOR, State Attorney for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, regarding the investigation and prosecution of this case and all related matters regarding Dai Asia Shaterria Wright. Section 2. The Assigned State Attorney or one or more Assistant State Attorneys and Investigators, who have been designated by the Assigned State Attorney, shall proceed immediately to the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, and are vested with the authority to perform the duties prescribed herein. Section 3. All residents of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit are requested, and all public officials are directed, to cooperate and render whatever assistance is necessary to the Assigned State Attorney, so that justice may be served. Section 4. The period of this Executive Assignment shall be for one (1) year, to and including March 2, 2027.

Section 5. The Assigned State Attorney shall notify the Governor on or before February 2, 2027, if additional time is required. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, this 2nd day of March, 2026. ATTEST: □ ~,., -{~~ ~ = 7> _.,....:. 0"' --1-. i:x,:::~:::,,. -r1::0 >-- -.-- _.,.r"'t".: I -· l>::: N r c.n--; (./) mC, m,.., ":x. c.n ·;.r:-.. 0 ""l"l-1 1)> -I -J fl1