Charges Dropped And Bond Reduced For Those Involved With Markeith Loyd
Charges against cop killer Markeith Loyd’s niece have been dropped after Orange County prosecutors declined to file them. Lakensha Smith-Loyd was one of three people arrested during the manhunt for the accused killer and was said to have aided him in his run.
State attorney’s spokeswoman Erika Washington told the Orlando Sentinel that there was not enough evidence to prove the case against Smith-Loyd. Initially she was held on a $750,000 bond, but was released from the Orange County Jail on a $10,000 bond in late January.
Loyd on the other hand remains in the Orange County Jail and is still facing charges in the killings of Orlando Police Lt. Debra Clayton on Jan. 9 and his ex-girlfriend Sade Dixon on Dec. 13, along with a number of other violent crimes.
Alongside Smith-Loyd’s charges being dropped, the other two people arrested during the manhunt had their bonds lowered Tuesday morning. Loyd’s ex-girlfriend, Jameis Slaughter, from $500,000 to $25,000, and his former boss, Zarghee Mayan, from $400,000 to $20,000.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, prosecutors said in court that the case against Smith0Loyd relied on Mayan’s testimony. He told authorities that Smith-Loyd picked up Loyd’s last check from the New Texas Fried Chicken restaurant on Orange Blossom Trail after Dixon’s killing.
However, during Mayan’s bond hearing last week prosecutors said he may not be a reliable witness. Records show he gave deputies two different stories in reference to his interaction with Loyd on the night of Dixon’s killing, but he did say Loyd was armed and threatened him in bother stories.
Slaughter, 25, had court Tuesday and swayed back and further in her chair as Judge Alicia Latimore explained the terms of her bond, said the Orlando Sentinel.
The terms Slaughter agreed to were to not have contact with Loyd or any other people arrested in this case and to not apply for a passport or try to the leave the country.
