Markeith Loyd is permanently blind in his left eye


Following his arrest last January, emails obtained through public records requests confirm that accused cop killer Markeith Loyd is permanently blind in his left eye.

According to records obtained by the Orlando Sentinel, on Jan. 18, Lt. Dan Brady emailed Orlando Police Chief John Mina about Loyd's progress while at the hospital.

"[Orlando Regional Medical Center] needed to perform surgery on his left eye and as a result the doctor said he will be permanently blind in his left eye," Brady wrote. "This was as a result of the injuries Loyd received during his response to resistance."

The following day, Orlando Police released aerial footage of Loyd's arrest that appears to show him being kicked in the head after he crawled toward the arresting officers. The camera then quickly panned and zoomed away from Loyd and the officers.

On his way to OPD headquarters after his capture, Loyd shouted to reporters that police had beat him up. He then spent a night at the Orlando Regional Medical Center before being transferred to jail.

Chief Mina told reporters that Loyd resisted arrest and prompted officers to use force when he did not put his hands behind his back.

Loyd is accused of killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend Sade Dixon and OPD Lt. Debra Clayton.

Special Prosecutor Brad King, who Gov. Rick Scott put in place on the prosecution instead of State Attorney Aramis Ayala, filed notice on Tuesday, April 4, that he will seek the death penalty.

Loyd's next hearing is set for April 12.

WE LOVE OUR READERS!

Since 1990, Orlando Weekly has served as the free, independent voice of Orlando, and we want to keep it that way.

Becoming an Orlando Weekly Supporter for as little as $5 a month allows us to continue offering readers access to our coverage of local news, food, nightlife, events, and culture with no paywalls.

Join today because you love us, too.

Scroll to read more Orlando Area News articles

Join Orlando Weekly Newsletters

Subscribe now to get the latest news delivered right to your inbox.