Markeith Loyd seeks removal of death penalty option

Attorney argues State Attorney Aramis Ayala should have remained on case

ORLANDO, Fla. – Accused double murder suspect Markeith Loyd appeared in court Friday.

Loyd's attorney was expected to ask for the death penalty option to be taken off the table. Instead, Judge Frederick J. Lauten mainly discussed scheduling with the defense and prosecution. 

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Loyd's attorney, Terry Lenamon, asked for another of extension for Loyd's trial for the 2016 murder of his pregnant ex-girlfriend Sade Dixon. Lauten suggested potentially pushing the start date of the trial back to April 2019, but Lenamon and Assistant State Attorney Rich Buxman are already scheduled to try a death penalty case against each other around that time.

Lauten suggested an additional hearing on Sept. 11 to discuss scheduling, as well as additional issues relating to the trial. One of those issues is the defense's motion to strike the possibility of the death penalty.

Lenamon argued that Gov. Rick Scott never had the authority to remove State Attorney Aramis Ayala from his client's case.

Scott replaced Ayala after she announced that she would not seek the death penalty in any case. She later formed a committee to determine if the death penalty should be sought in appropriate cases.

If convicted, Loyd could face a possible death sentence in the 2016 murders of his Sade Dixon and Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton. 

 

 

 


About the Author:

Cathleigh is a newscast producer and has been with News 6 since 2014. She graduated from the University of North Florida with a degree in communications, with a focus in broadcast journalism. Cathleigh produces the 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. newscasts.

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