Free Republic

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A judge on Thursday sentenced a Florida man to death for fatally shooting an Orlando police officer while he was on the run for killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend. Jurors in November found Markeith Loyd, 46, guilty in the January 2017 death of Lt. Debra Clayton, and unanimously recommended a death sentence during a hearing in December.

While discussing the Markeith Loyd case Thursday, State Attorney Aramis Ayala said she will not seek the death penalty during her administration. Ayala said she made the decision after conducting a review. The most visible case immediately affected by Ayala's decision is Loyd's, who is charged with killing Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton and his pregnant ex-girlfriend. Ayala's statement was made during a news conference she called to discuss her decision not to seek the death penalty in the Loyd case.

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