Markeith Loyd to be arraigned in court

Arraignment will be accused Orlando cop killer's 5th court appearance

ORLANDO, Fla. – Markeith Loyd, who is accused of gunning down his pregnant ex-girlfriend and an Orlando police officer, will be in court Wednesday morning for an arraignment.

The appearance will be Loyd's fifth court appearance since he was arrested on Jan. 17, nine days after Orlando Police Lt. Debra Clayton was fatally shot and more than a month after Sade Dixon was killed outside her Pine Hills home on Dec. 13.

The arraignment was scheduled after the State Attorney's Office announced last week that a grand jury had indicted Loyd on first-degree murder charges.

Timeline: How the manhunt and capture of Markeith Loyd unfolded

During Wednesday's arraignment, which is scheduled for 10 a.m., a judge will formally present Loyd with his charges. It's unknown if a plea will be entered during the appearance or if his next court date will be set. 

In relation to Sade Dixon's death, Loyd is charged with first-degree murder with a firearm, killing of an unborn child by injury to the mother, attempted first-degree murder with a firearm, two counts of attempted felony murder with a firearm and possession of a firearm by convicted felon, according to the State Attorney's Office.

Loyd is also facing charges of first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer with a firearm, attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer with a firearm, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, carjacking and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in connection with Clayton's death.

No charges have been filed against Loyd in connection with Orange County Deputy Norman Lewis, who was fatally struck while on his motorcycle assisting in the search for Loyd after Clayton's death.

A judge ruled on Jan. 26 that Loyd was competent to waive his right to counsel because has declined the services of a public defender, but a decision has not been made on whether he will represent himself.

Loyd's past court appearances have been laced with profanity and outbursts. An unedited video from Loyd's first appearance on Jan. 19 is embedded to the right.

"One of the things the court is going to have to wrestle with is how to manage a guy that when he's in court is completely out of control," News 6 legal analyst Steven Kramer said. "If there's a trial, the court is not going to let this guy mouth off and curse and be a disruption. The judge has got his job cut out for him to try and control Markeith Loyd and keep decorum in the courtroom."