ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A judge denied accused police officer killer Markeith Loyd’s request to delay his trial because of the pandemic on Tuesday.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Loyd in the fatal shooting of Lt. Deborah Clayton in 2017. At the time, Loyd was on the run for killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon.
READ: Markeith Loyd will no longer represent himself in murder trial of Orlando police officer
He was sentenced to life in prison for her murder.
Lody’s trial was delayed 18 months because of the pandemic, but the judge said there would be no more delays.
On Tuesday, prosecutors also argued it was time after almost four years for justice to be served.
READ: Trial date set for accused police officer killer Markeith Loyd
Loyd filed the motion asking for the delay on Friday. In the motion, he asked for a continuance, saying that although the defense doesn’t have precise numbers, “there is anecdotal evidence that somewhere around 50% of jurors who have been summoned are actually showing up for jury duty.”
He added that the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the African American and Latin communities harder, which not give a good representation of the community to pick the jury from.
Judge Letecia Marques said last year they did 53 trials and took a break in December because of a surge, but since then trials have continued without any major issues, and discounted his reasoning for a continuance.
Hundreds of jurors will be brought in because of the high-profile nature of the case. They will wear clear masks and COVID-19 testing will be available if needed.
READ: Markeith Loyd wants trial postponed so he can prepare to be his own attorney
The judge set aside a month to pick the jury, but in the last trial for Loyd, it took just six days to seat one.
Loyd is using an insanity defense, saying that he was afraid of police when he was on the run for killing Dixon and was afraid police would kill him.
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