ORLANDO, Fla. — An Orange County judge denied a request for a bond reduction Wednesday morning for a 33-year-old man accused of helping murder suspect Markeith Loyd hide from police.
Investigators said they arrested Zarghee Mayan on charges that he helped Loyd, 41, hide after Loyd's pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon, was killed on Dec. 13.
His bond is set at $400,000, but his attorneys had asked for it to be lowered to $10,000.
Mayan’s attorneys argued that their client surrendered his passport, proving he isn't a flight risk. But prosecutors said the man has extensive ties to New York and remains both a flight risk and a danger to the community.
Read: Timeline: Manhunt underway for Markeith Loyd
The attorney said the state failed to prove that Mayan is a danger to the community, saying that would only be the case if Markeith Loyd was still at large.
“I can't put a sentence together that makes him a danger to the community,” his lawyer said.
“I can,” a prosecutor responded.
Prosecutors accused Mayan of having hidden money and property, claims the man’s attorney’s denied.
“The fact that my client is sitting in jail speaks for itself,” Mayan’s lawyer said.
Watch Zarghee Mayan's court appearance below:
Mayan's bond reduction denied. #WFTV
— Field Sutton (@EFieldSutton) February 1, 2017
Read: Affidavit: Man helped hide fugitive accused of killing ex-girlfriend, OPD lieutenant
During the hearing, the judge said he wants Mayan's relatives to make an attempt to pay his bail before saying it can't be done.
During an interview with investigators on Dec. 14, Mayan said he was at work at New Texas Fried Chicken when Loyd walked in after the homicide armed with a gun. Loyd pointed at Mayan’s head and said, "Drive me or I will kill you. I just did something real bad," according to an arrest affidavit.
Mayan is charged with being an accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said.
Judge wants to know why Lakensha Smith-Loyd's bond lowered without hearing. State says only evidence against her is Mayan's testimony. #WFTV
— Field Sutton (@EFieldSutton) February 1, 2017
Authorities said Mayan never contacted law enforcement to advise them of his contacts with Loyd, and that Mayan provided Loyd with free food from the restaurant.
Archive: Search continues for men who carjacked delivery driver
The affidavit also claimed Mayan gave $200 to Loyd's niece, Lakensha Smith-Loyd, with the understanding that she would give it to Loyd.
Smith-Loyd had her bond reduced from $750,000 to $10,000 last month. She is also accused of helping Loyd while he was on the run.
Mayan's attorney argued that if Loyd-Smith's bond could be reduced, the same should be done to his client's.
"Mr. Mayan has merely presented to the court that if consistency was to prevail in their argument, then this bond should be reduced as well," the attorney said.
Watch Mayan's attorney discusses the denial of bond reduction:
Loyd is accused of shooting Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton last month in the parking lot of an Orlando Walmart while he was being sought in the fatal shooting of Dixon weeks earlier, police said.
He was captured last month after a nine-day manhunt.
State says Mayan's word on anything is totally untrustworthy. Now approaching bench to further assault Mayan's credibility. #WFTV
— Field Sutton (@EFieldSutton) February 1, 2017
In addition to Mayan and Smith-Loyd, a third person has been arrested and accused of helping the fugitive avoid capture.
Read those stories below:
- Affidavit: Man helped hide fugitive accused of killing ex-girlfriend, OPD lieutenant
- Third arrest made in connection with manhunt for police murder suspect
- Niece of alleged police killer knew his whereabouts, deputies say
- Mug shots of people arrested in connection with Loyd
Cox Media Group
