ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A judge has sentenced convicted cop killer Markeith Loyd to death for the 2017 murder of Orlando police Lieutenant Debra Clayton.
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Loyd lashed out verbally in court after his death sentence was handed down.
It was an emotional day in the courtroom. Channel 9′s Shannon Butler said you could feel the tension in the room as everyone waited for the judges decision, then the relief when it was over.
It has been more than five years since Loyd killed Lt. Debra Clayton.
The courthouse was filled with law enforcement officers who were there the night their friend was gunned down.
READ: Convicted cop killer Markeith Loyd involved in jailhouse altercation
Orange County Sheriff John Mina, who was the police chief when Clayton was murdered, did not hold back.
He said everyone from Clayton’s family to the community has suffered — now it’s Loyd’s turn.
“Now it’s time for Markeith Loyd to suffer for 23 hours a day in a cell not knowing when that death sentence is going to come, but it’s going to come,” he said.
Very pleased that Judge Marques sentenced cop killer Loyd to death. Rest in peace Lt. Debra Clayton.
— Sheriff John Mina (@SheriffMina) March 3, 2022
He has caused so much suffering to the families of Lt. Debra Clayton, Sade Dixon, and DFC Norm Lewis. pic.twitter.com/bjzSi9JkkW
Both Clayton’s family and Loyd’s family sat in silence as the death sentence was announced. A gasp from one of Clayton’s cousins was the only sound heard after the decision.
Loyd was stoic as he learned his fate.
READ: Who was Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton?
But after court, a usually matter-of-fact prosecutor was choked up.
“I think the bottom line is Lt. Clayton was a special person, and I think the jurors recognized that and the verdict was on her behalf,” Ryan Williams said.
Neither Loyd’s family nor his attorney spoke on Thursday.
Clayton’s family thanked everyone for the work they have put in for the last five years.
Their pain is still evident all these years later. They can finally start to move on.
Officers leave the courthouse where markeith loyd was just sentenced to death for killing lt Deborah Clayton. #wftv pic.twitter.com/pmCKVIgEQF
— Shannon Butler (@SButlerWFTV) March 3, 2022
“Today I felt her presence and I know she can rest and hopefully just heal from here,” Clayton’s family said.
There will no doubt be appeals in the case.
PHOTOS: Jury recommends death sentence for Markeith Loyd
Loyd is back in the Orange County Jail, waiting for his transfer to prison.
Watch Eyewitness News at and stay with WFTV.com for updates on this story.
Lieutenant Clayton impacted the lives of those around her throughout the @citybeautiful. Her legacy will live on because, just as Lieutenant Clayton made it her life’s work to guide our youth in a positive direction, we will continue to do that in her honor. pic.twitter.com/0AV7mxYT5b
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) March 3, 2022
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