A trial date has been set for Markeith Loyd, the man accused in the slayings of his pregnant ex-girlfriend and an Orlando Police officer.

  • Judge sets trial date for Markeith Loyd
  • Loyd arrested after 9-day manhunt in January
  • He's charged in slayings of Sade Dixon, Lt. Debra Clayton

Loyd appeared in court Monday, the first time he had done so since April.

Orange County Chief Judge Fred Lauten set a trial date of Sept. 10, 2018, with pretrial scheduled to begin Aug. 20, 2018.

Lauten also denied a request by Loyd's attorney, Roger Weeden, to allow Miami-based attorney Terence Lenamon to join the defense team.

“Mr. Lenamon can appear in this case if he wants, but what you’re asking is for the government to pay for his appearance when he’s not on the list of qualified attorneys. And at this point in time, I am not ready to do that, so I am going to deny that motion,” Lauten said.

Loyd sat at the jury box and interrupted a couple of times. At one point, he said, "Being framed. Point-blank period."

Another time, Lauten warned Loyd he should not speak in court without talking to his counsel first.

"I would recommend that you consult at least with Mr. Weeden before you just start talking so you don't harm your own case," Lauten said.

The state requested a DNA sample from Loyd, which was granted.

"In order to match his DNA with items of evidence and see if we need a search warrant or other paperwork," State Attorney Brad King explained.

The 41-year-old Loyd is accused in the slayings of pregnant ex-girlfriend Sade Dixon and Orlando Police Lt. Debra Clayton.

He was charged with several offenses stemming from Dixon's Dec. 13 fatal shooting, including two counts of first-degree homicide (which includes the unlawful killing of an unborn child), one count of attempted first-degree homicide and two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm.

Loyd allegedly also shot Dixon's brother, Ronald Stewart, and critically injured him.

He was arrested Jan. 17, nine days after the shooting death of Clayton.

During Monday's hearing, the state also filed a motion that pictures from the autopsies of both victims not be disclosed by the defense. That motion was also granted by the judge.