Judge delays arraignment of murder suspect Markeith Loyd

ORLANDO, Fla. — A judge delayed murder suspect Markeith Loyd’s arraignment Wednesday morning after Loyd asked a judge for more time to decide how he’ll plea to a list of a charges handed down by a grand jury.

Loyd is accused of killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend Sade Dixon in December and Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton last month.

Investigators said Loyd killed Clayton when she confronted him at a Pine Hills Walmart in January. He had been on the run since Dixon’s slaying. He was found hiding in a vacant Orlando home after a nine-day manhunt.

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Watch Loyd's court appearance below:

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Loyd was supposed to be formally charged during Wednesday's hearing, but in a handwritten two-page letter, he told the judge he hasn't yet received a copy of the indictment.

Between the two cases, Loyd faces 14 charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder and the unlawful killing of an unborn child.

Loyd sat quietly in court with an eyepatch covering his left eye. He was surrounded by heavily armed and armored deputies who remain beside him throughout the hearing.

"Now, I understand from your correspondence to me that you would like to invoke your right to have a copy of the indictment at least 24 hours before you enter a plea to that," the judge told Loyd. "So I'm going to factor that in."

Although the judge didn't ask Loyd to plead Wednesday, he did read aloud a summary of the indictment and urged him to reconsider representing himself in court.

"It will be like you're in a fight with your hands tied behind your back," the judge said, reminding Loyd that a trained lawyer could help him.

Loyd complained that his rights were being violated, but he didn't specify how.

"We done?" Loyd said during the hearing. "I don't want to talk to you."

At times, Loyd refused to speak to the judge.

Read: Third profanity-laced court appearance by murder suspect Markeith Loyd

"If we're not able to talk," the judge said. "I'll have to appoint a lawyer for you."

As the judge read from the indictment, he reminded Loyd that he could face the death penalty or life imprisonment for the crimes of which he's accused.

The judge delayed the arraignment until next Wednesday.

Cox Media Group