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Markeith Loyd officially charged in killing of Orlando police officer

Police released video of Loyd's arrest after his court appearance Thursday to counter his accusation they beat him indiscriminately during his capture.

By Stephen Feller

Jan. 19 (UPI) -- The man accused of killing an Orlando police officer who was attempting to arrest him on charges he'd killed his pregnant ex-girlfriend said police are lying about both amidst a profanity-laced tirade in court on Thursday.

Markeith Loyd was officially charged in the shooting death of Orlando Police Department Lt. Debra Clayton on Thursday, bringing the number of charges he faces in connection with the crimes to 10.

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Loyd was arrested Tuesday after a nine-day manhunt following his alleged "execution-style" shooting of Clayton outside a Walmart when she approached him on Jan. 9. At the time, he was wanted for the shooting death of his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon, and the injury to her brother who tried to help.

Loyd appeared in court with a bandaged eye and bruised face, accusing police of beating him when he was apprehended on Tuesday, denying accusations from police that he resisted arrest. After the court appearance, police released overhead video footage of his arrest to counter the charges that they indiscriminately beat him.

In court Thursday, Loyd told a judge someone else killed Dixon on Dec. 9, a crime for which he was facing five charges when Clayton spotted him outside of the Walmart. He shot Clayton once, and after she fell to the ground, he stood over her, continuing to shoot "execution-style," OPD Chief John Mina said.

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Loyd allegedly carjacked someone in the Walmart parking lot in order to escape the scene. He was eventually tracked to an apartment complex where he got into a shootout with police -- one of whom he shot at, but did not hit.

During his court appearance, Loyd said police are lying about what happened at Walmart, as well as who killed Dixon, and declined a public defender because he wants to represent himself.

When the judge at the Orange County Jail ruled him to be held without bond, Loyd closed out his appearance in court by cursing the judge out. He is expected back in court Friday in relation to the new charges, which include murder of a law enforcement officer, attempted first-degree murder with a firearm, armed carjacking, wearing a bulletproof vest while committing a felony and aggravated assault.

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