TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Florida man accused of four murders in Seminole Heights pleaded not guilty to the charges against him on Tuesday.
Attorneys for Howell Donaldson III filed the written plea at his Tuesday morning arraignment.
The state has not yet decided whether or not to seek the death penalty in the case. They say they will know by the next hearing on Jan. 25.
State Attorney Andrew Warren said last Thursday that Donaldson was indicted on four counts of premeditated murder with a firearm in the deaths of Benjamin Mitchell, Monica Hoffa, Anthony Naiboa and Ronald Felton.
The entire proceeding lasted less than two minutes in court, but families of the victims in the Seminole Heights murders wanted to be there anyway.
“It’s draining. It’s draining, it’s really draining and it take a big toll on my husband and his brother,” said Gloria Felton.
Her husband is the twin brother of murder victim Ronald Felton.
“They say not guilty until proven innocent, so I’m just like everybody else, I want to see what justice is going to be,” said Felton.
Yury Gutierrez and her family were also there for murder victim Monica Hoffa.
“It’s another step in the process of closure for us. I know this is going to be a long process. It’s just having faith, first in God and then in the system that the right thing is going to be done and then there is going to be justice to what was done to our loved one Monica,” said Gutierrez.
Her family says the murders, the court proceedings and all of the attention are especially difficult for them at this time of year.
“Now it’s just a time that we have to step back, especially through Christmas. Thanksgiving, Christmas it’s been very difficult not having her there with us,” said Gutierrez.
Donaldson would have had the chance to enter a plea in person at his arraignment, but waived his right to appear. According to court paperwork, Donaldson’s waiver was made “freely, knowingly and voluntarily.”
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