Niece Of Cop Killer To Be Released From Jail
The niece of alleged cop killer, Markeith Loyd, was arrested during the manhunt for her uncle and could be released from the Orange County Jail, said officials.
Lakensha Smith-Loyd, 27, posted bond on Wednesday. She is accused of helping her uncle hide from law enforcement after he was wanted in the Dec. 13 shooting death of his pregnant ex-girlfreind, Sade Dixon.
Smith-Loyd was arrested on Jan.11, two days following the killing of Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Smith-Loyd was originally given a $750,000 bail on the charge of aiding and abetting first-degree murder after the fact. On Wednesday however, a judge reduced the bail amount significantly to $10,000 court records showed.
She allegedly posted bond late Wednesday, but was still in the jail Thursday morning due to an unspecified hold. She was supposed to originally have a hearing at 9:30 a.m. to modify the conditions of her release, but according to court officials that has since been canceled.
The Orlando Sentinel reported that it is unclear why she is being held in jail at this time.
Smith-Loyd’s lawyer asked for a reduction in her bail days after Loyd was captured and arrested. Her lawyer argued that she had no criminal history and was the primary providers in her household.
According to authorities, Smith-Loyd told investigators she knew where Loyd was after Dixon was killed and said she thought he might have been defending himself in that incident.
Smith-Loyd was not the only one arrested for helping Loyd. During the manhunt one of his ex-girlfriends, Jameis Slaughter, and his former boss, Zarghee Mayan, were arrested on allegations that they helped Loyd hide from law enforcement.
On Wednesday, Loyd had a third court hearing where he again shouted expletives at another judge and again appeared without a lawyer. This appearance was for the charge of resisting arrest without violence.
Loyd will remain in jail on two other charges that do not allow him to bond out.