ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Markeith Loyd appeared in court Wednesday afternoon during a hearing pertaining to deadlines and witnesses that will be presented during his upcoming trial.
The hearing began at 1:30 p.m.
Loyd’s attorney, Terry Lenamon, said Wednesday that he could possibly use an insanity defense in the upcoming trial. He has until March 2 to file that notice or notify the state of any other possible mental health defense.
Loyd’s trial in connection with the death of Orlando police Sgt. Debra Clayton is expected to begin May 1, 2020. He’s accused of fatally shooting Clayton as she tried to arrest him outside a John Young Parkway Walmart on Jan. 9, 2017, weeks after he fatally shot his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon.
A judge ruled Wednesday that the both sides have until Feb. 4 to provide a list of expert witnesses and until March 16 to provide a list of aggravating factors in the case. The state is expected to complete depositions of the defense’s expert witnesses by March 30.
A jury found Loyd guilty in the Dixon case in October and recommended that he be sentenced to life in prison.
He has filed an appeal.
If convicted on a first-degree murder charge in connection with Clayton’s death, Loyd could face the death penalty.