Indictment Handed Down Against Accused Serial Killer

TAMPA, FL--Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren just announced that the grand jury has returned an indictment against Howell Donaldson III on four counts of premeditated, first-degree murder in the four shooting deaths in Seminole Heights.

"The grand jury concluded that probable cause exists that the defendant committed the four murders with a firearm," Warren said at a press conference shortly after 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Grand jury proceedings are secret so there are no details concerning the evidence the jurors reviewed or the conclusions they came to that prompted the indictment.

The indictment means Donaldson can be charged with the murders at an arraignment scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 12, before Hillsborough County 13th District Circuit Court Judge Mark Wolfe.

Warren asked that the community to continue praying for the four victims of the shootings: Benjamin Mitchell, Monica Hoffa, Anthony Naiboa and Ronald Felton.

On Tuesday, Donaldson, who is represented by Public Defender Julianne Holt, waived his bond hearing and will remain in jail until his trial. Warren has stated that he intends to seek the death penalty.

Image via Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office