Orlando officers acted โreasonablyโ when they beat accused cop killer Markeith Loyd, report says
ORLANDO, Fla. โ An Orlando Police Department internal review found that four officers acted โreasonablyโ when they delivered blow after blow while arresting accused cop killer Markeith Loyd on Jan. 17, 2017. All four officers who kicked, punched or otherwise struck Loyd expressed similar fear, saying they knew Loyd was accused of killing Orlando Police Sgt. [RELATED: Accused murderer Markeith Loyd says he was framed in courtroom outburst | Documents show Loyd was โcalmโ after fatal gun battle with OPD officer]Loyd was not interviewed as part of the investigation. [READ: Sade Dixon accused Markeith Loyd of abuse before her death, family says | Fallen Orlando police Master Sgt. [RELATED: How the hunt and capture of Markeith Loyd unfolded | Markeith Loyd walks out of Walmart; seconds later, gun battle erupts, video shows]All four officers interviewed stood by their actions.
Defense says interrogation video shows Orlando police mistreated Markeith Loyd after arrest
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. โ Convicted killer Markeith Loyd appeared in court Friday afternoon as a judge ruled on multiple recently filed motions, including one pertaining to a planned insanity defense. Loyd was convicted last year of killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon, he is awaiting trial for his second murder charge. When state experts examine Loyd, the defense will be able to video record that meeting, but despite protests from Loydโs attorney Terry Lenamon, the defense will have to provide a copy of that video to the state. Loyd was convicted of first-degree for killing Dixon in October 2019. According to Lenamon, the video shows Loyd moaning in pain and asking for medical attention but instead of helping him, officers mocked and laughed at him.
Markeith Loyd attorneys allowed extra 2 weeks to prepare for Debra Clayton murder trial
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. โ Attorneys for convicted murderer Markeith Loyd were back in an Orange County courtroom Friday. The judge allowed the defense to have an extra two weeks to continue their exploration of witnesses. If found guilty in his next trial, Loyd could face the death penalty. [READ: How the hunt and capture of Markeith Loyd unfolded | โHe was aiming for my heartโ: Victimโs brother testifies in Markeith Loyd murder trial]Loydโs attorney, Terry Lenamon, said that he could possibly use an insanity defense in the upcoming trial. After the hearing, Lenamon said he should know whether theyโll be pursuing the insanity defense by the next status hearing.
Judge keeps death penalty option available in Markeith Loyd cases
ORLANDO, Fla. โ A judge on Tuesday declined a motion by Markeith Loyd's defense to remove the death penalty from his murder cases. Loyd faces first-degree murder charges in the deaths of his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon, and Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton, both of whom were shot to death. Loydโs attorneys had argued that the decision should have been decided by State Attorney Aramis Ayala, who announced after Clayton's death that she would not seek the death penalty against Loyd -- or anyone. [Timeline: How the hunt and capture of Markeith Loyd unfolded]Gov. Ayala later implemented a panel in her office to determine whether the death penalty should be used in murder cases in her jurisdiction.
Sade Dixon's mother says she stands with State Attorney's decision: 'He will die in jail'
ORLANDO, Fla. โ The mother of homicide victim Sade Dixon spoke out Friday in support of State Attorney Aramis Ayala's decision to not seek the death penalty for her daughter's accused killer or anyone else. Rick Scott expressed outrage for Ayala's decision to not pursue capitol punishment for Markeith Loyd. Jaeger Lane, who now lives in Florida, said she was "extremely proud of Ayala's decision." I offered to have a full conversation with him regarding my decision about death penalty. Law enforcement leaders were quick to condemn Ayala decision, including Orlando police Chief John Mina, whose officer was shot and killed on Jan. 9.