Accused Cop Killer Markeith Loyd Indicted, Death Penalty Still Blocked in Florida – WBNews

The Florida prosecutor in charge of the murder case against alleged cop killer Markeith Loyd said Wednesday that she is “eagerly anticipating” a new state law for seeking the death penalty after the Supreme Court struck down Florida’s system last year. The comments by Ninth Judicial Circuit State’s Attorney Aramis D. Ayala suggest that she could seek the death penalty for Loyd, who is accused of killing a woman pregnant with his child in December and then fatally shooting a police officer during a manhunt in January. But Ayala said no decision has been made. “We are eagerly anticipating a new statute from the Florida Legislature. And at that point, we will evaluate and determine whether we are seeking death on Markeith Loyd,” Ayala said at a news conference Wednesday. Markeith Loyd, center, is escorted under heavy guard after a court hearing Jan. 26 in Orlando. Florida. Red Huber / AP – pool Loyd, 41, was indicted Wednesday on first-degree murder charges in the Dec. 13 killing of Sade Dixon, 24, and the Jan. 9 shooting death of Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton, 42, whom authorities said Loyd killed in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Related: Suspected Cop Killer Markeith Loyd Competent to Represent Himself, Judge Rules Orange County sheriff’s Deputy Norman Lewis was killed in a motorcycle crash with an unrelated car during a pursuit. Loyd was indicted on 11 counts, including three counts of first-degree murder, in the deaths of Dixon, Clayton and Dixson’s unborn child, NBC affiliate WESH…more detail