ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Sheriff John Mina said he is looking forward to Markeith Loyd’s second murder trial being over.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Loyd, who is accused of fatally shooting Lt. Debra Clayton outside an Orange County Walmart in January 2017.
Mina, who served as the Orlando police chief at the time of the shooting, said he hopes a verdict will bring closure to Clayton’s loved ones and the entire Orlando Police Department, who lost a beloved officer.
“It’s seems like it’s been a long time, but I am glad it’s finally here,” Mina said.
Loyd is using the insanity defense, saying that he was afraid the police officers who were searching for him were going to kill him, which is why he allegedly fired at Clayton.
“No, I don’t believe that for a second,” Mina said.
“What do you think happened?” asked Channel 9 reporter Shannon Butler.
He said what has happened over the last year and a half since George Floyd’s death should not be a factor. Mina said Loyd is the worst of the worst when it comes to criminals.
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Markeith Loyd (wftv.com)
Markeith Loyd brought to OPD
Markeith Loyd Prosecutors say there is no proof that Orlando police officers mistreated Markeith Loyd.
Markeith Loyd in first court appearance
Markeith Loyd
Markeith Loyd
Markeith Loyd (WFTV)
Markeith Loyd trial: Florida Supreme Court rejects arguments over evidence for slain Orlando officer Lt. Debra Clayton The circuit judge also blocked evidence related to the murder of Sade Dixon, documents show. (WFTV Staff)
Terence Lenamon Markeith Loyd’s attorney’s contract with the Judicial Administration Commission has been suspended over what the organization is calling excessive billing. (WFTV Staff)
Markeith Loyd is removed from an Orlando courtroom Nov. 21, 2019 Cox Media Group 2019
Jury in Markeith Loyd trial to consider if killing unborn child warrants death penalty
Markeith Loyd trial involving slain officer will not include talk of murdered ex-girlfriend, judge rules Markeith Loyd appeared in court Wednesday for a hearing regarding his upcoming trial.
Markeith Loyd insanity plea Markeith Loyd’s attorney says he was insane when hekilled Orlando police Lt. Deborah Clayton in 2017. (WFTV Staff)
Markeith Loyd Markeith Loyd’s attorney has only a few weeks left to tell the court if Loyd was insane the day he allegedly shot and killed an Orlando police lieutenant in 2017. (WFTV Staff)
Markeith Loyd Markeith Loyd (WFTV Staff)
Markieth Loyd
Markeith Loyd in court Markeith Loyd appeared in court Wednesday for a hearing regarding his upcoming trial. (WFTV Staff/Cox Media Group)
Jury selection underway in accused cop killer Markeith Loyd's first murder trial (WFTV.com)
Markeith Loyd During a hearing on Monday, a judge set a tentative trial date for the man accused of killing an Orlando police lieutenant. (WFTV Staff)
Markeith Loyd will no longer represent himself in murder trial of Orlando police officer
Markeith Loyd The sentencing trial for convicted police killer Markeith Loyd continued Wednesday. (WFTV Staff)
Markeith Loyd trial (WFTV Staff)
Markeith Loyd Tuesday marks day two in the penalty phase of the Markeith Loyd trial. (WFTV Staff)
Markeith Loyd (WFTV Staff)
Judge in Markeith Loyd’s second murder trial will stay on for penalty phase
Markeith Loyd found guilty of killing Orlando officer Lt. Debra Clayton Markeith Loyd found guilty of killing Orlando officer Lt. Debra Clayton
Markeith Loyd (WFTV Staff)
Markeith Loyd (WFTV Staff)
Markeith Loyd trial Testimony concluded Monday in the penalty phase of the Markeith Loyd murder trial. (WFTV Staff)
Markeith Loyd (WFTV Staff)
Jury returns Monday for penalty phase of convicted cop killer Markeith Loyd
Markeith Loyd sentenced to death (WFTV)
Markeith Loyd sentenced to death
Markeith Loyd sentenced to death
Markeith Loyd sentenced to death Markeith Loyd reacts as the jury returns a recomendation of death for the murder of Lt. Deborah Clayton in 2017 (WFTV)
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Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.
