Markeith Loyd withdraws motion to fire 'incompetent' defense attorneys

Loyd accused of shooting, killing ex-girlfriend, Orlando officer

ORLANDO, Fla. – Markeith Loyd, the man accused of shooting and killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend and an Orlando police officer, appeared in court Tuesday after filling a motion claiming his defense team has failed to pursue a legitimate defense.

Loyd is awaiting trial for the deaths of Sade Dixon and Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton.

In court documents, Loyd claimed his court-appointed lawyers are incompetent and said he has an adversarial relationship with them.

According to the motion, Loyd claimed that the public defender didn't do enough to get him proper medical treatment for injuries sustained during his arrest.

Loyd also said his attorneys haven't investigated certain evidence that might be important to his defense.

After discussing the implications of the motion with Judge Fredrick Lauten, Loyd decided to withdraw the motion, because reviewing it would require the defense to reveal their defense strategy to the state.

He may decided to refile the motion again.

Tuesday's hearing came after defense attorney Roger Weeden filed a motion to disqualify Ocala-based State Attorney Brad King, who is prosecuting both cases against Loyd.

King is the chair of the Justice Administrative Commission, which approves expert witnesses for indigent defendants like Loyd.

Lauten said he would like to speak with King about the motion in person, because King could not be present in court Tuesday.

In the motion, Weeden wrote that King "has a clear an irreconcilable conflict requiring his disqualification."

Lauten also requested to see where the state stands on their case against Loyd, as far as evidence and discovery, reminding them that the first trial is four months away.

Loyd's trial for killing his ex-girlfriend is scheduled for September, the trial for Loyd's charges in the fatal shooting of Clayton will happen in January.

Below is a look at the events that led to that search and what has unfolded since it began. Please note that some times are approximate.

Mobile users click here to use the interactive timeline.

Dec. 10: Sade Dixon, a 24-year-old pregnant mother of two, moved back into her parents' Pine Hills home. She provided few details on why she decided to make the move, but told her family that her then-boyfriend, Markeith Loyd, had bitten her during a fight. Her family said that she had to go to the doctor to get a tetanus shot.

9:13 p.m., Dec. 13: Dixon was home eating dinner with her family when she got a call and went outside to talk to Loyd, her family said. The two started arguing and shots were fired, police said. Dixon was fatally shot and her 26-year-old brother, Ronald Steward, was wounded in the gunfire trying to protect his sister. Dixon's children, ages 2 and 8, were home at the time of the shooting. They were unharmed.

Afternoon, Dec. 14: Stephanie Dixon-Daniels and Ron Dixon held a press conference outside their Pine Hills home to beg the community for help in finding their daughter's killer. “We would like the killer, you know who you are – turn yourself in. Don't make them come get you,” Dixon-Daniels said. Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill also attended the press conference.

5:15 p.m., Dec. 14: The Orange County Sheriff's Office named Loyd as a suspect in Dixon's murder and her brother's shooting. A news release listed Loyd as armed and dangerous.

5 p.m., Dec. 15: Loyd's criminal history starts to come to light. He was arrested on a murder charge in 1995, but that charge was later dropped because a witness lied about key information. In 1998, he's accused of battery on a law enforcement officer, for which he spends four years in jail.

7:17 a.m., Jan. 9: A civilian at Walmart at Princeton Street and John Young Parkway approached Orlando police Master Sgt. Debra Clayton, 42, and told her that Loyd is at the store. Clayton radioed in for backup and approached Loyd. A witness told News 6 that Loyd started shooting when Clayton yelled for him to stop running. Orlando Police Chief John Mina said additional officers arrived within 28 seconds, but by that time Clayton was already down and Loyd had left the scene. 

7:19 a.m., Jan. 9: Officers at Walmart radioed in to say an officer was down and broadcasted a call for help. First responders perform CPR on Clayton and transport her to a local hospital.

7:26 a.m., Jan. 9: Orange County Sheriff's Office Captain Joe Carter saw a vehicle matching the description of Loyd's vehicle. Carter followed Loyd into Royal Oaks Apartments. Loyd stepped out of the dark green Mercury and fired two shots at Carter's unmarked Ford Explorer. Carter was unharmed.

7:29 a.m., Jan. 9: A man called 911 to say that someone matching Loyd's description carjacked him at gunpoint. The caller said the man drove his 2013 Volkswagen Passat through a fence. The victim later identified Loyd as the man who carjacked him, police said.

7:40 a.m., Jan. 9: Clayton, 42, was pronounced dead at Orlando Regional Medical Center. Clayton was a 17-year veteran of the Orlando Police Department as well as a wife, mother and University of Central Florida alumna with a bachelor's degree in public administration and a master's degree in criminal justice.

9 a.m., Jan. 9: Seventeen Orange County schools are placed on lockdown.

9:36 a.m., Jan. 9: The Orlando Police Department named Loyd as the suspect in Clayton's death.

9:43 a.m., Jan. 9: A motorcycle deputy responding to the search for Loyd is fatally struck by a van on Pine Hills Road and Balboa Drive.

10:45 a.m., Jan. 9: City officials held a news conference detailing the deaths of the two law enforcement officers and the search for Loyd. Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings called the day one of the worst in his career. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer callded for a citywide day of mourning.

12:53 p.m., Jan. 9: The Crimeline award for information leading to Loyd's arrest was increased to up to $60,000. More information on how Crimeline works to collect tips is available here.

3 p.m., Jan. 9: OPD announced that it was focusing its search on Brookside Apartments, located at Rosewood Way and Cinderlane Parkway. Videos and pictures from the scene showed a heavy police presence and armed SWAT officers as officials searched the area.

3:20 p.m., Jan. 9: Lockdowns at several Orange County Public Schools were lifted.

5:09 p.m., Jan. 9: Officials identify Deputy First Class Norman Lewis as the deputy who was fatally struck while on his motorcycle attempting to aid in the search for Loyd. Lewis had been with the Orange County Sheriff's Office since 2005, before that he was a student at the UCF and played for the school's football team.

6 p.m., Jan. 9: The search at Brookside Apartments ended and residents were allowed back into their homes. Loyd was not found. The manhunt continued into the night.

10 p.m., Jan. 9: A GoFundMe page was created for Clayton's family. The goal was set at $10,000, but about 15 hours later more than $13,000 would be donated.

7:15 a.m., Jan. 10: Demings told News 6 that officials are continuing to search for Loyd and follow tips. He said that while he believed Loyd was in the area, the search was not as concentrated as it was the day before at Brookside Apartments. He reiterated that Loyd will be found.

12 p.m., Jan. 10: Lake County Sheriff's Office helped OCSO and OPD search a home in Clermont, acting on a lead that Loyd could be inside. The homeowner consented to the search. Loyd was not found.

1:48 p.m., Jan. 10: The FBI Most Wanted Twitter account tweeted a photo of Loyd.

1:50 p.m., Jan. 10: Officials announced Clayton's funeral would be held Saturday at 2 p.m.

2:30 p.m., Jan. 10: Demings announced that the Crimeline reward was raised to $100K, the biggest reward Crimeline has ever received. Officials said they were working to get arrest warrants signed for the people they believe had been helping Loyd evade arrest for several weeks.

2:45 p.m., Jan. 10: More details on the funeral arrangements for Clayton and Lewis were announced. Lewis' was at First Baptist Church in Orlando. Clayton's was at First Baptist Church.

7 p.m., Jan. 10: Mourners gathered for a vigil at the Walmart where Clayton was fatally shot. Community leaders at the event urged the public to step forward if they had any information that could help authorities arrest Loyd.

9:21 p.m., Jan. 10: Zarghee Mayan was booked into the Orange County Jail on a charge of accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. Officials said Mayan helped Loyd avoid arrest after Dixon's murder in December. He told authorities that Loyd had been wearing a bulletproof vest.

12:39 p.m., Jan. 11: OCSO tweeted a link to a GoFundMe page to benefit Lewis' family.

3 p.m., Jan. 11: Lakensha Smith-Loyd, Markeith Loyd's niece, was arrested on an accessory after the fact to first-degree murder charge for transporting $200 to her uncle after Dixon's murder, police said.

8:15 p.m., Jan. 11: A third person was arrested in connection with the search for Loyd. Officials identified the woman as Jameis Slaughter, one of Loyd's ex-girlfriends.

9:30 a.m., Jan. 12: Smith-Loyd and Slaughter appeared before an Orange County judge. Slaughter's bond is set at $505,000 and Smith-Loyd's bond is set at $750,000. The prosecutor said in court that Smith-Loyd knew where her uncle Markeith Loyd was. "I think it's reasonable to assert that as she stands here today, she knows where he is and has not furnished that information," the prosecutor said.

3:30 p.m., Jan. 12: More than 100 places were searched in the manhunt for Loyd, Orlando Police Chief John Mina said. Loyd's clothing was found near the crime scene were he allegedly shot and killed Sgt. Clayton. Police said Loyd was wearing a bulletproof vest when he shot Clayton and she returned fire. The vest may have saved his life, Mina said. Crimeline Executive Director said more than 800 tipsters called in.

12:55 a.m., Jan. 13: The Orange County Sheriff's Office announced that the funeral for Lewis has been postponed until Sunday because of a family emergency.

8:10 a.m., Jan. 13: The search for Loyd expanded into Polk County, as authorities in Haines City issued an alert about the suspected cop killer. Haines City police said Loyd has family in the area and may be hiding in the city. Lakeland police and the Polk County Sheriff's Office tweeted information about the search for Loyd, urging residents to call 911 and vowing to find Loyd if he was in the area.

2:45 p.m., Jan. 14: Orlando Police Chief John Mina posthumously promoted fallen Master Sgt. Debra Clayton to the rank of lieutenant during her funeral.

2:30 p.m., Jan. 15: Mourners gather for Deputy Norman Lewis' funeral, during which Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings posthumously awards him the agency Purple Heart.

3:30 p.m., Jan. 17: Mina released a new digitally altered photo of Loyd after receiving tips that he may have shaved his head. Loyd is added to the U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted list.

7:30 p.m., Jan. 17: Loyd is caught and arrested, according to Orlando police, ending a nine-day hunt for the wanted man.

9 a.m., Jan. 18: Mayan's bond is lowered to $400,000.

6:30 p.m., Jan. 18: Loyd was taken from Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he was being treated for injuries sustained during his arrest, to the Orange County Jail. 

9 a.m., Jan. 19: Loyd has his first court appearance on charges related to Dixon's death. He repeatedly cursed at the judge, accused the police of beating him up and insisted that he will represent himself in court. 

2:30 p.m., Jan. 19: The Orlando Police Department released helicopter video of Loyd's arrest, which appeared to show at least one officer kicking the suspect in the face. Mina said the department will investigate the officer's use of force.

9 a.m., Jan. 20: Loyd had his first court appearance on charges related to Clayton's death. He asked the judge her name several times and denied that he is Markeith Loyd.

9 a.m., Jan. 25: Loyd had his first appearance on the resisting arrest charge. As in prior appearances, he cursed at the judge. "I'm here for what? Resisting arrest? And this is what happened to me? F*** you," he said. His bond is set at $500.

9 a.m., Jan. 26: A judge ruled that Loyd is competent to represent himself, but no decision was made as to whether or not he actually would. He told the judge that he was prohibited from making any phone calls. He also claimed police knocked his eye out.

2:30 p.m., Jan. 26: Smith-Loyd bonded out of jail. A judge lowered her bond to $10,000 the night before. She was previously being held on $750,000 bond.

7 p.m., Jan. 26: Mayan's attorney filed a motion to have his client's bond lowered to $10,000 since Smith-Loyd has bonded out of jail.

9 a.m., Jan. 29: Loyd appeared in court after refusing to show up the day before on a new set of charges filed in connection with an incident in August. The appearance was brief.

9 a.m., Feb. 1: A judge denied a request to lower Mayan's bond. It remains at $400,000.

9:15 a.m., Feb. 7: A judge lowered Slaughter's bond from $500,000 to $20,000. She's ordered not to have contact with Loyd, Mayan or Smith-Loyd.

10 a.m., Feb. 7: The state attorney's office announced that formal charges will not be filed against against Smith-Loyd, who was accused of helping murder suspect Markeith Loyd avoid capture.

Afternoon, Feb. 7: The state attorney's office agreed to lower Mayan's bond to $20,000. He must stay in the state and not have contact with Slaughter, Smith Loyd or Loyd.

2:30 p.m., Feb. 8: Mayan posted bond and leaves the Orange County Jail.

4 p.m., Feb. 15: The State Attorney's Office announced that a grand jury has formally indicted Loyd on charges related to Dixon's and Clayton's death. A grand jury indictment is required on all first-degree murder cases, she said. It's still unclear if Loyd will face the death penalty.

10 a.m., Feb. 22: Loyd appeared in court for an arraignment. He gave the judge a handwritten letter asking for a copy of the charges against him. The judge set a hearing for March 1 for Loyd to enter a plea. 

10 a.m., March 1: A judge entered a not guilty plea on Loyd's behalf. Chief Judge Frederick J. Lauten set a trial date of May 1 in the Dixon case and a date of June 19 in the Clayton case.

10 a.m., March 16: State attorney Aramis Ayala announced that her office would not pursue the death penalty while prosecuting Loyd. The move prompted Gov. Rick Scott to ask that Ayala recuse herself from the case.

4:30 p.m., March 16: Gov. Rick Scott issues an executive order removing Ayala from the case and reassigning it to Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Brad King. "These families deserve a state attorney who will aggressively prosecute Markeith Loyd to the fullest extent of the law and justice must be served,” Scott said.

10 a.m., March 20: Loyd appears in court for a status hearing. Ayala came to the hearing and told the judge she intended to file motions so that she could stay on Loyd's case. 

9 a.m., March 28: A judge rules that King will prosecute Loyd, despite Ayala's request to stay on the case. Loyd made a comment that Scott, "seeks revenge, not justice." Loyd objected to having a mental health evaluation.

10 a.m., April 3: Loyd said in court that he wants attorney Terence Lenamon to represent him in his murder cases. Lenamon, of Miami, is Florida’s highest-paid capital litigation lawyer. The judge scheduled a hearing for April 12 to see if he will allow Loyd to pick his own court-appointed counsel.

10 a.m., April 12: Judge does not appoint Lenamon to represent him in his murder cases. Loyd agrees to have standby counsel, Roger Weeden, represent him. Loyd also waives right to a speedy trial.

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About the Author:

Mark Lehman became a News 6 reporter in July 2014, but he's been a Central Florida journalist and part of the News 6 team for much longer. While most people are fast asleep in their bed, Mark starts his day overnight by searching for news on the streets of Central Florida.

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