Hillsborough County State Attorney

Andrew Warren will face Suzy Lopez, who was appointed to replace him by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The unit will include a chief, deputy chief and three lead trial attorneys —all will be full-time.

Robert DuBoise was 18 when he was arrested and charged with the 1983 rape and slaying of Barbara Grams. Almost 40 years later, DNA tests revealed the real killers, who were part of a spree of murders.

Andrew Warren's fight to be reinstated continues to play out in court. With the deadline for qualifying for the August primary election approaching late next month, the prosecutor filed a motion in federal court asking for his case to be resolved quickly.

Warren, who was suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022, said the governor would suspend him again if he ran and won this year.

Citing the ruling in federal court that his First Amendment rights were violated, Warren wrote the letter to "respectfully request" DeSantis "voluntarily reinstate me as Hillsborough County's duly elected state attorney."

In his ruling, Judge Robert Hinkle said Gov. Ron DeSantis was wrong in suspending Andrew Warren as Hillsborough State Attorney.

Lawyers for Warren said the suspension was clearly motivated by politics. U.S. District Court Judge Robert Hinkle says it will be at least two weeks before he rules.

Suspended Hillsborough County state attorney Andrew Warren is suing Gov. Ron DeSantis, saying his First Amendment rights were violated.

Starting Tuesday, a U.S. District Court judge will hear arguments over whether DeSantis exceeded his powers by suspending Warren for "neglect of duty." The trial is expected to last 3-5 days.

The governor claims Andrew Warren neglected his duty by refusing to prosecute certain crimes. Warren said it's an attack on his First Amendment right to free speech.

Andrew Warren said Gov. DeSantis' "political stunt should scare anyone who believes in our democracy."