ORLANDO, Fla. — Judge Leticia Marques on Friday set a March 3 sentencing date for Markeith Loyd, who was convicted by a jury of killing Orlando Police Lt. Debra Clayton.

Loyd and his attorneys Friday made their final case to convince the judge to spare his life at a Spencer hearing at the 9th Judicial Circuit Court in Orlando.

Last month, jurors agreed that Loyd should be sentenced to death for murdering Clayton in 2017. But ultimately, the judge will make the final decision on his punishment.

Loyd’s defense team tried repeatedly to get the hearing delayed. Each time the judge said no.

“I never meant your queen any harm, even her as a police,” Loyd said at the hearing.

Defense attorneys called witnesses, including Loyd’s sisters, and presented their evidence and arguments to the judge as they asked her to overrule the jury’s death penalty recommendation.

“I tried to turn myself in two times before Walmart (where Clayton was killed)," Loyd said. "Walmart never had to happen.”

After Loyd finished his prepared statement, the prosecutors seeking the death penalty presented their final case.

Several family members of Clayton spoke about their loss, giving their victim impact statements to the court.

“I truly miss my sister," Clayton's sister Ashley Thomas said. "I truly miss her, and I love her. And one day I will be able to see her again and thank her once again for everything that she’s done for us.”

Clayton's cousin Francine Thomas said, "The pain and circumstances of her death is so overwhelming. It was so so unnecessary.”

Both sides have until February to file paperwork outlining their cases for sentencing.

Loyd is already serving a life sentence for killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend and their unborn child.