Man accused of killing police officers request to wear Marine Corps uniform during trial was denied

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Retired Marine Everett Miller will go to trial on murder charges Monday. He requested to wear his Marine Corps outfit during his trial, which begins Monday but that request has been denied.

Miller is facing first-degree murder charges in the shooting deaths of Officer Matthew Baxter and Sgt. Sam Howard in August 2017.

Miller hoped to wear his dress uniform during trial, but a judge ruled against him after prosecutors argued it would bring discredit to the armed services.

Baxter's widow, Sadia Baxter, shared the impact of her loss with WFTV. She said she plans to be in court for each day of Miller's trial.

Seating for the jury won't be easy due to the case's high profile.

The judge plans to call 76 jurors a day for four days, narrowing them down by hardships and media exposure. Those remaining will then be asked about the death penalty that Miller faces if convicted. The following week will see jurors selected and the beginning of opening statements.

If Miller is convicted, he will not go to the penalty phase immediately, as the Markeith Loyd case is expected to begin around the same time and there aren't enough court reporters for both trials.

Cox Media Group