ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Markeith Loyd’s second murder trial entered the next phase on Monday.
[TRENDING: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s free!)]
The prosecution and defense made their opening statements on Monday in front of a jury. Loyd told the judge on Monday how displeased he was with his lawyer.
During the opening statements on Monday, the prosecution started by showing surveillance footage recalling the events leading up to the shooting death of Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton.
Loyd is accused of shooting and killing Clayton outside a Walmart in 2017 while he was on the run for killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend Sade Dixon in December 2016.
Loyd’s defense team said he had a history of experiencing racism and negative run-ins with police. He is using the insanity defense for his actions. Nine of the 12 jurors are men and six appear to be minorities.
The trial is expected to go on for several weeks.
Loyd is currently serving life in prison sentence without parole for the murder of Dixon.
On Friday, Loyd asked the judge if he could represent himself during the trial, something he asked for during his first murder trial.
“I want to represent myself because things aren’t being done, and it’s my life on the line,” Loyd said.
The judge denied Loyd’s request, saying it didn’t work out during his first trial, when she had granted his request. Judge Leticia Marques said he would be unable to effectively represent himself while he’s in jail, but he would be allowed to actively participate in the trial.
Prosecutors and the defense asked the judge whether or not they can bring up facts and evidence from Loyd’s previous case, with prosecutors also requesting to use posts Loyd made on social media. The judge said she would rule on some of those motions this week. One of the rulings she made Monday morning was that Dixon’s name can not be used during opening statements when the trial begins.