Suspect in Two Murders Labeled 鈥淪overeign Citizen鈥�
A Florida man accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend and a police officer near Orlando appeared in court last week, using what a judge described as a 鈥渟overeign citizen鈥� line of defense.
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When Markeith D. Loyd, 41, attempted to use legal maneuvers commonly used by sovereign citizens, who believe the government has no jurisdiction over them, Chief Judge Frederick J. Lauten of Florida鈥檚 9th Judicial Circuit was having none of it.
鈥淔or the record, I want to state that I am Markeith Loyd, flesh and blood,鈥� the double murder suspect told the court. 鈥淚鈥檓 a human being. I鈥檓 not a fictitious person. I鈥檓 not a corporation.鈥�
When Loyd suggested the charges against him were brought by the court, the judge said they, in fact, were filed by state prosecutors.
鈥淭herefore, I am going to tell you the fact, I am in due court, I accept the charges鈥� value,鈥� the suspect said, 鈥渁nd I want to use my UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financial statement, my number, to write these charges off.鈥�
Loyd then refused to enter a plea, shouting to the court, 鈥淵鈥檃ll can鈥檛 do nothing to me,鈥� reported.
The judge said in court that the defendants 鈥渨ants to talk about the UCC and corporate status, which is a position that certain citizens that are sometimes called sovereign citizens take in courts of law, oftentimes misguided.鈥�
鈥淚t is not the first time the court has heard that position,鈥� the judge said.
Loyd ignored the judge when asked if he wanted a court-appointed attorney.
听鈥淚 don鈥檛 care, I鈥檓 representing myself,鈥� he told the court. 听鈥淭here ain鈥檛 nothing you all can do to me, nothing this courtroom can do to me. Worst thing that happened to me already happened 鈥� Strap me up right now.鈥�
Loyd faces a host of serious charges, including first-degree murder with a firearm, unlawful killing of an unborn child, attempted first-degree murder with a firearm, two counts of attempted felony murder and other lesser counts.
He is accused of murdering his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon, on Dec. 13 in Orlando, then fleeing. Authorities say the fugitive fatally shot Orlando Police Lt. Debra Clayton as she attempted to arrest him on Jan. 9 at a Walmart in the Pine Hills area west of Orlando.听
A sheriff鈥檚 deputy responding to the shooting was struck and killed by a sport-utility vehicle and听another deputy was fired upon while attempting to stop Loyd鈥檚 getaway vehicle.听 He is accused of wearing a bulletproof vest, in violation of Florida law, during his encounters with police.
Clayton was one of the first officers who responded听to the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando last June, the reported.听 The highly regarded, 17-year veteran had started a non-profit organization for female victims of violence and once took a group of children on a tour of Washington, D.C.
Sovereign citizens 鈥� labeled as a significant domestic terrorism threat by the FBI a half-decade ago 鈥� have been involved in several fatal shootings involving police officers.听 Last July three police officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, were fatally shot by a sovereign citizen.
In Florida, Loyd was captured after a massive manhunt several days later. Prosecutors have not decided if they will seek the death penalty, the Orlando newspaper reported.
