GUILTY FL - Manhunt in Tampa after 4 slayings in 5 weeks, Oct-Nov 2017 #3 *Arrest*

[margarita25]

"But in early December, prosecutors attempted to question Donaldson’s parents, Howell Jr. and Rosita Donaldson, about their son’s background, developmental history, and state of mind. The parents refused.

That prompted a judge to initiate civil contempt proceedings against them. If they continue to refuse to speak with prosecutors, the Donaldsons could face sanctions, including a fine or possible jail time.

Their attorney, Ralph Fernandez, attended Thursday’s hearing, asking Judge Wolfe to conduct separate hearings for the son and the parents. The judge said Fernandez would have to make a formal request in writing.

The next hearing is set for Jan. 26."

http://www.tampabay.com/news/public...t-Seminole-Heights-killings-suspect_164583745

 

[margarita25]

"State rules of criminal procedure give prosecutors 45 days from the date of arraignment to announce a decision about capital punishment. That deadline will be in early February."

http://www.tampabay.com/news/public...t-Seminole-Heights-killings-suspect_164583745

 

[margarita25]

Families of Seminole Heights murder victims weigh in on upcoming death penalty decision
http://wfla.com/2018/01/21/families...-weigh-in-on-upcoming-death-penalty-decision/

"Anthony Naiboa’s father says he wants to see that happen.

“We want the prosecutor to make it known if people want to do the same thing they will get charged with the highest possible,” Casimar Naiboa said. “We don’t want Tampa to become, Hillsborough County to become, a serial killer friendly town.”"

*more at link

 

[margarita25]

"Meanwhile, a hearing for the suspect’s parents is scheduled for the same day at 8:30 am. Rosita and Howell Donaldson Jr. will learn if they will be held in contempt of court for not testifying in response to subpoenas issued by the state attorney.

In a status hearing on Jan. 17, the judge decided search warrants will remain sealed over concerns of investigative information being leaked. During that hearing, state and defense attorneys can talk about things such as discovery (evidence), scheduled hearings and motions, trial dates and possible plea offers.

Defense attorneys and prosecutors agreed that the search warrants should remain sealed. Currently, even the court cannot see them. Both sides are concerned with investigative information being leaked out before the discovery process starts."

http://wfla.com/2018/01/21/families...-weigh-in-on-upcoming-death-penalty-decision/

 

[Beautybee123]

Death penalty will be sought.


http://m.mynews13.com/content/mobil...icles/bn9/2018/1/23/death_penalty_decisi.html

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[FindHG]

Victims' Families React to Possible Death Sentence
http://www.fox13news.com/news/local-news/death-penalty-decision-expected-in-seminole-heights-murders

Woman who turned in suspected Seminole Heights killer thanked by city
http://www.fox13news.com/news/local...ected-seminole-heights-killer-thanked-by-city

McDonald’s manager gets ovation at Seminole Heights investigation ceremony
http://www.tampabay.com/news/public...nole-Heights-investigation-ceremony_164588282

[video=youtube;WaAwRcWbgqE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaAwRcWbgqE[/video]

From Earlier Today: ABC Action News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v_IL2KSSDA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5kD3ZAiYnY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgz2TZrF3wI Suspect's Mom's and Dad's Separate Attorneys

 

[FindHG]

[video=youtube;V9zVbylBrhI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9zVbylBrhI[/video]
Seminole Heights Killings: State will seek death penalty against Howell Donaldson III
ABC Action News
Jan 23 '18
Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren announced Tuesday the State will seek the death penalty against the accused Seminole Heights killer, Howell Donaldson, III.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky97G_agGm8
Florida Will Seek Death Penalty Against Seminole Heights Serial Killer Suspect
NBC News
Jan 23 18

 

[FindHG]

[video=youtube;lMYw2ed7A_0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMYw2ed7A_0[/video]
Corey Davis of WFLA News Channel 8 reports that relatives are on board with the the DP, speaks with Ronald's brother and that Warren believes the trail will be fair here in Tampa.
Jan 23, 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlWOHxHhjls
Ryan Hughes report continues, (paraphrased)
'the Mayor, like many people in this neighborhood think it's the right way to go.'

 

[2Hope4]

Tough situation to be in. I can understand both sides as I'm sure many here do as well. It would be very difficult to answer questions that may lead to the prosecution of your child, and send them to death. Likewise, as a society, the state needs to do a thorough investigation. Seeking answers to questions about the defendant's history, actions, frame of mind, etc. would likely move the investigation along.

Don't wish that position on anyone.

Another thought just came to me....everyone is someone's child. So I all prior defendant's have been in this situation.

 

[SeesSeas]

http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/semi...rial-killer-parents-in-court-friday/511682071
Accused Seminole Heights serial killer, parents in court Friday
6:03 AM. EST January 26, 2018
His parents, Howell Donaldson Jr. and Rosita Donaldson are also set to appear before a judge Friday for refusing to answer questions about their son. A judge could find them in contempt of court, which could mean up to five months in jail.

 

[SeesSeas]

UPDATE:
http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/semi...rial-killer-parents-in-court-friday/511682071
10:04 AM. EST January 26, 2018
His parents, Howell Donaldson Jr. and Rosita Donaldson are also facing legal trouble for refusing to cooperate with the investigation. They will return to court Feb. 9 for a hearing to "show cause." This will be their opportunity to convince a judge why they should not be held in contempt of court.

 

[DisneyFan]

I certainly would not want to be in this young man's parents shoes. Can any of us say with absolute certainty how we would react? Let us each pray we never are faced with this profound decision.

My feeling is that if their son is of diminished capacity they are doing a great disservice by not providing his medical history and background. MOO

 

[moonlessnight]

• Court documents show in 2016, Donaldson Jr. filed a petition for injunction for protection against stalking, also known as a restraining order, against his daughter’s boyfriend.
  
  Donaldson Jr. accused the boyfriend of threatening their family and telling Donaldson Jr. if he had a gun he would shoot him. The document also shows that the suspect’s mother, sister and brother were listed on the order of protection, but the suspect’s name is not listed.
  
  We’re not naming the boyfriend because the injunction was denied by a judge. The judge cited that the facts as alleged didn’t meet Florida statues definition of stalking.
  
  However, we did look into the boyfriend’s background and several of his arrest records. Those records show his most recent arrest lists his address at a home in Seminole Heights.
  
  Further, the boyfriend's address is a five-minute walk from where the first victim, Benjamin Mitchell was killed. It’s an eight-minute walk from where the body of the second victim, Monica Hoffa, was found, a four-minute walk from where the third victim, Anthony Naiboa, was murdered and an eight-minute walk from where the fourth victim, Ronald Feltonwas gunned down.
  
  We asked the state attorney’s office if they were looking into this connection. A spokesperson said they couldn’t confirm or deny if they were looking into this because they don’t reveal case strategy.
  
  
  ​

Very interesting!
from your link

rbbm

very interesting indeed. I could see that, if the suspect had tendencies toward paranoia, he might have thought he was scaring off the sister's BF or threatening him by attacking people in his neighborhood. maybe he thought it was some sort of protection. clearly it was not rational thought, but seeing through the lens of a variety of mental disturbances, the sister's BF could have been a trigger.
sorry I did a horrible job of quoting the original poster. I'll try to fix it.

 

[dotr]

• Court documents show in 2016, Donaldson Jr. filed a petition for injunction for protection against stalking, also known as a restraining order, against his daughter’s boyfriend.
  
  Donaldson Jr. accused the boyfriend of threatening their family and telling Donaldson Jr. if he had a gun he would shoot him. The document also shows that the suspect’s mother, sister and brother were listed on the order of protection, but the suspect’s name is not listed.
  
  We’re not naming the boyfriend because the injunction was denied by a judge. The judge cited that the facts as alleged didn’t meet Florida statues definition of stalking.
  
  However, we did look into the boyfriend’s background and several of his arrest records. Those records show his most recent arrest lists his address at a home in Seminole Heights.
  
  Further, the boyfriend's address is a five-minute walk from where the first victim, Benjamin Mitchell was killed. It’s an eight-minute walk from where the body of the second victim, Monica Hoffa, was found, a four-minute walk from where the third victim, Anthony Naiboa, was murdered and an eight-minute walk from where the fourth victim, Ronald Feltonwas gunned down.
  
  We asked the state attorney’s office if they were looking into this connection. A spokesperson said they couldn’t confirm or deny if they were looking into this because they don’t reveal case strategy.
  
  
  ​

very interesting indeed. I could see that, if the suspect had tendencies toward paranoia, he might have thought he was scaring off the sister's BF or threatening him by attacking people in his neighborhood. maybe he thought it was some sort of protection. clearly it was not rational thought, but seeing through the lens of a variety of mental disturbances, the sister's BF could have been a trigger.
sorry I did a horrible job of quoting the original poster. I'll try to fix it.

Wondering if the suspect hoped people would think the b.f. actually committed the murders, hoping that his sister's ex b.f. would get arrested, thus leaving the D family alone?
imo, speculation.

 

[Vern]

I'm speculating that the sister's ex- boyfriend was the one targeted and the others innocent victims in an attempt to eventually eliminate his target, but making it seem as if he'd actually been a victim of a random shooting. I also am speculating that had he pulled it off, there would have been a couple more innocents killed after the ex-BF so as not to draw any attention to the shootings stopping after the ex-BF.

 

[Owutatangledweb]

Any update from court yesterday?

 

[SeesSeas]

Any update from court yesterday?

https://hover.hillsclerk.com/html/case/caseSummary.html
02/16/2018 9:00 AM
RESCHEDULED HEARING - Order to Show Cause

 

[LadyL]

so his motivation is for acknowledgment and/or money
his motivation was not simply to do the right thing
ugh

http://www.baynews9.com/content/new...cles/bn9/2017/12/16/man_who_provided_sem.html

.

 

[LadyL]

can't believe his parents aren't co-operating
or maybe I can ... apple/tree

 

[borndem]

I'm speculating that the sister's ex- boyfriend was the one targeted and the others innocent victims in an attempt to eventually eliminate his target, but making it seem as if he'd actually been a victim of a random shooting. I also am speculating that had he pulled it off, there would have been a couple more innocents killed after the ex-BF so as not to draw any attention to the shootings stopping after the ex-BF.

Hmmm, not bad, Vern -- that's something to consider. And another thing,

:welcome6:
[FONT=comic\ sans\ ms]to Websleuths, Vern!!:greetings:

:cheer:We're glad you're here!![/FONT]:cheer:
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