Markeith Loyd in court for pre-trial hearing

ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Accused cop-killer Markeith Loyd was silent when he appeared in court for a status hearing Thursday afternoon.

Loyd is accused of killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend Sade Dixon in December of last year.  Investigators say the next month, he murdered Orlando Police Lt. Debra Clayton, which sparked a massive manhunt.

Loyd has been locked up for months and the hearing was mostly procedural as attorneys prepare for Loyd’s first trial, which is scheduled for September of 2018. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

“It’s hard. Some days we have our good days, some days we have our bad days,” said Dixon’s mother, Stephanie Dixon-Daniels after court.

She says she’s focusing on the case moving forward, even if it takes time.

“I’m willing to wait, if that’s what it’s gonna take,” Dixon-Daniels said.