Markeith Loyd seeks to remove state attorney from his case

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The man accused of killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend and an Orlando police lieutenant was in court Tuesday as he tried to remove a state attorney from the case, claiming a conflict of interest.

Markeith Loyd is accused of gunning down Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton in a Walmart parking lot in January 2017 after she recognized him as being sought in the shooting death of his ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon, and her unborn child in December 2016.

Loyd was on the run for nine days before his capture, investigators said.

Orange County Deputy Norm Lewis was killed in a motorcycle crash while responding in the search for Loyd.

Read: Markeith Loyd withdraws new attorney motion, asks that prosecutor be removed

Loyd and his legal team claim a conflict of interest based on the fact that State Attorney Brad King, who was appointed to the case when State Attorney Aramis Ayala refused to pursue the death penalty, could be in a unique position to learn secrets about the defense because he serves on the state's Justice Administrative Commission.

The JAC's general counsel testified by phone Tuesday that King doesn't handle much.

"The commissioners have no role in our day-to-day operations," attorney Ana Martinez said.

King testified that he has no intention of seeking information.

Prosecutors called the situation a slippery slope, ending with King potentially unable to prosecute a huge number of his own cases.

"There are only two grounds to disqualify the state attorney's office," assistant state attorney Ric Ridgway said. "Neither of those has been demonstrated."

King's team argued that you could put anyone else in that chairmanship and nothing would change, but Chief Judge Frederick Lauten disagreed.

"It's another thing to say that it's the prosecutor assigned to the case," he said.

Loyd recently filed a handwritten motion complaining about his own attorneys as well.

Read: Transcript of Markeith Loyd interrogation (WARNING: GRAPHIC LANGUAGE)

The judge wanted to talk about it at a hearing on June 5, but Loyd withdrew his motion because he said he's more concerned with the prosecutors working against him.

Watch: Markeith Loyd goes on profanity-laced rant during first court appearance

When Loyd was taken to the Orlando Police Department's headquarters after his arrest in January 2017, his face was bloody and bruised, and he yelled, “They beat me up” to Channel 9’s cameras.

Loyd suffered a fractured eye socket and other injuries to his face.

The judge handling the case said he needs two more weeks to decide whether to take the lead prosecutor off the case.

"What we have here is a scenario in which Brad King is wearing two hats," said Roger Weeden, Loyd's attorney.

Lauten told both sides Tuesday that he has concerns.

Loyd will be back in court later this month. Lauten promised to make a decision on King's involvement in the case by then.

Read: Accused cop killer Markeith Loyd to move to Seminole County Jail

Cox Media Group