Orange County

Defense argues Markeith Loyd incompetent to be sentenced for Lt. Debra Clayton’s murder

ORLANDO, Fla. — Convicted cop killer Markeith Loyd and his attorneys had another court appearance Monday.

Loyd faces the death penalty in the murder of Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton more than five years ago.

WATCH: ‘She got justice today’: Jury recommends death for Markeith Loyd for murder of Lt. Debra Clayton

Loyd had an outburst in court Monday, leaving the courtroom in a fit of rage without permission from the judge.

Loyd watched from another room as a doctor, called as a witness by the defense, told the court that Loyd is mentally ill and isn’t competent enough to go through this sentencing phase.

Loyd’s lawyer is asking the judge to spare his life, pushing for life without parole instead.

WATCH: Sentencing for convicted cop-killer Markeith Loyd delayed over use of force issues

The defense recently submitted this 54-page memo which says, in part, “Markeith Loyd is a deeply traumatized, mentally ill man and although he has done awful things, he deserves to live, albeit incarcerated for the rest of his life.”

His attorneys say he has deteriorated lately and that stress makes it worse.

The judge asked for him to be evaluated further, and another competency hearing will be held on Feb. 21 prior to his sentencing on March 3.

“I’ll stand up to anything that comes my way to harm me or my people,” Loyd said as he took the stand in court last month.

While in court, Loyd claimed he hears voices from both God and the devil and feared police his entire life.

WATCH: ‘Makes me want to start killing them,’ police say Markeith Loyd wrote in letter about officers

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