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Markeith Loyd found competent to stand trial; murder trials won't be combined into 1

ORLANDO, Fla. — A man accused of fatally shooting his pregnant ex-girlfriend and an Orlando police officer was found competent to stand trial Friday during a competency hearing.

Investigators said Loyd fatally shot Sade Dixon in December 2016 and Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton in January 2017.

Loyd's competency was drawn into question earlier this month based on a motion filed by his lawyer, Terry Lenamon, and Loyd's pattern of courtroom outbursts and rants.

Judge Leticia Marques reviewed the findings of a court-appointed psychiatrist and agreed that he is competent to stand trial.

"He was aware of where he was, who the parties of the courtroom were," she said. "He followed my directions, he gave his version -- albeit a truncated one -- of what happened the day of the shooting."

Marques also denied a motion to consolidate the murder trials during Friday's hearing.

Loyd's lawyers were split on the decision, but he said he had wanted separate trials.

The trial for Dixon's alleged murder is scheduled to begin Sept. 27.

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