Accused Seminole Heights Killer Declines To Attend Arraignment

TAMPA, FL—The man charged in the shooting deaths of four Seminole Heights residents won’t be making an appearance at his arraignment Tuesday.

Howell E. Donaldson III has waived his right to appear at his arraignment before Hillsborough County 13th District Circuit Court Judge Mark Wolfe on charges of four counts of premeditated, first-degree murder. His attorney, Public Defender Julianne Holt, filed the Waiver of Defendant’s Presence this morning, noting that Donaldson made the decision to not attend his arraignment “freely, knowingly and voluntarily.”

The arraignment was set on Dec. 7 after a grand jury returned an indictment against Donaldson, concluding there is probable cause that he committed the serial murders.

Donaldson, 24, was arrested on Nov. 28 after his manager at the Ybor City McDonald's at 2101 E. 13th Ave., Gail Rogers, told police that Donaldson had a semiautomatic pistol stowed away in a McDonald’s bag. She said Donaldson asked her to watch the bag while he went to get a payday loan at Amscot.

Tampa police were able to match the pistol to the shootings of Benjamin Mitchell, Monica Hoffa, Anthony Naiboa and Ronald Felton between Oct. 9 and Nov. 14.

At tomorrow’s arraignment, Donaldson will be officially charged in the murders. He is being held at the Hillsborough County Jail after waiving a bond hearing.

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