ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Markeith Loyd is accused of killing Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton after he fatally shot his pregnant ex-girlfriend.
Jury selection for his murder trial related to Clayton’s death is ongoing. Read updates below:
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Wednesday, Oct. 13
On Wednesday, jurors have been questioned about their feelings on the death penalty and on insanity.
It was slow going again as the jurors are now being asked how they feel about Markeith Loyd’s insanity defense.
Video: Markeith Loyd will no longer represent himself in murder trial of Orlando police officer
Lawyers have now asked these jurors more detailed questions about their dealing with mental health and how they feel about sentencing someone to death if they are convicted.
Loyd has sat in court, quiet and taking notes on those jurors who could be choses to decide his fate.
It will take at least another week to seat the jury.
READ: Markeith Loyd wants trial postponed so he can prepare to be his own attorney
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Tuesday, Oct. 12
Jury selection continued in Markeith Loyd’s murder trial on Tuesday.
Loyd is charged with first-degree murder in the 2017 shooting death of Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton.
READ: Commission suspends Markeith Loyd’s attorney’s contract over concerns of excessive billing
So far 12 jurors are going through to a third day of questioning.
Jurors are being questioned individually about things like publicity. Already several jurors said they had heard a lot about the case and already had their minds made up.
READ: Who was Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton?
Prosecutor Ryan Williams asked that they bring more jurors to help speed up the process, but the judge said she was not interested in speed, she just wants to be able to seat an impartial jury.
On Monday, jurors were asked about not only if they could put aside that Loyd has already been convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison, but also how they felt about mental health.
Loyd is using an insanity defense.
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Loyd has said that he allegedly shot and killed Clayton because he had a brain injury and that he feared for his life because of the tensions between the Black community and police.
READ: Potential jurors face additional questioning for Markeith Loyd murder trial
They were also told to pack a suitcase when they come back, because if they are picked they will be sequestered immediately.
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