State To Seek Death Penalty For Seminole Heights Serial Murders

TAMPA, FL -- State Attorney Andrew Warren said he will seek the death penalty for Howell Donaldson III for the shooting deaths of four people in Seminole Heights.

The Hillsborough County State Attorney made the announcement at a news conference Tuesday morning, Jan. 23.

"After reviewing the evidence, speaking with the victims' families and personal quiet reflection, I've determined that this office will seek the sentence of death against Howell Donaldson III," Warren said. "The death penalty is for the worst of the worst, crimes that are far more egregious than the typical murder, and that’s what we have here."

Donaldson, 24, of Tampa, remains in jail without bond after being charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of four people in the southeast section of the Seminole Heights neighborhood in October and November.

Warren said he's been conferring with the families of the four victims, Benjamin Mitchell, 22; Monica Hoffa, 32; Anthony Naiboa, 20; and Ronald Felton, 60. Some family members agreed with his decision to seek the death penalty. Others felt Donaldson should receive a life sentence, Warren said.

"But, ultimately, they all placed their trust in me," he said. When asked about specific views of family members, Warren said, "I have tremendous respect for the victims’ families and will not get into specifics of what we discussed."

At an earlier news conference, Warren said he would not seek the death penalty if there was a question about Donald's mental capacity at the time he committed the crimes.

Tuesday, he said "there is no evidence of mental illness or any other mitigating factors."

By law, the State Attorney's Office must be prepared for trial in 175 days but Warren said homicide cases are likely to take a few years before going to trial. Although Warren said he will ask the jury to give Donaldson the death penalty if he is found guilty, it takes a unanimous vote by a Florida jury to condemn a prisoner to death.

Donaldson, who has pleaded not guilty to the four murders, remains in jail without bail.

In the meantime, his parents, Rosita and Howell Donaldson Jr. of Tampa, are scheduled to go before Hillsborough County Circuit Court Judge Mark Wolfe Friday, Jan. 26 at 8:30 a.m. to explain to the judge why they should not be compelled to answer the prosecution's questions concerning their son.

The Donaldsons have consistently refused to answer questions about their son's actions and mental state leading up to his arrest in December. In Florida, there is no special privilege giving parents the right to refuse to answer questions about their child in a criminal investigation although Florida does make an exception for spouses.

The Donaldsons' attorney, Ralph Fernandez, is arguing that a special privilege should exist in cases where a parent's testimony might lead to a child receiving the death penalty.

At Friday's status hearing, Wolfe will listen to arguments on both sides to determine if the Donaldsons should be excused from questioning or if they should be held in civil contempt for not cooperating.

Image via Octavio Jones/Tampa Bay Times via AP, Pool