Prosecution, Defense Begin Opening Statements in Markeith Loyd Trial
Oct. 11, 2019
"...The state also went into some details about what happened leading up to Loyd's accused killing of Clayton, which happened about a month after Dixon's killing while Loyd was still on the run from police.
The jury will hear about Clayton's killing, but not that Clayton was killed. They will be instructed not to consider Clayton's killing in their decision in Dixon's murder trial....
Loyd is concerned the jury will not be able to separate the two murder trials which he believes could influence their decision....
Loyd told Judge Leticia Marques he had a few objections, especially separating the trials.
A legal analyst spoke about Loyd's concerns earlier this week.
"The judge has already said that she is going to allow in all the facts surrounding the killing of Lt. Clayton, with the exception of the fact that she actually died. That being the case, the defense wants to try both of the cases at the same time since they are in fact in reality right trying both cases at the same time with the exception of that one detail," said Jonathan Rose.
The jury, which includes four alternates, is made up of 12 women, four men. Seven are white, five are black and four are Hispanic.
Loyd's defense attorneys say they will bring up race as a factor if their client is convicted and the death penalty is considered.
The jury will be sequestered for the course of the trial, which could last two to three weeks.'
Prosecution, Defense Begin Opening Statements in Markeith Loyd Trial
