TAMPA, Fla. — A status hearing in the case against the man accused of murdering four people in the Seminole Heights neighborhood featured a surprise appearance from the defendant Tuesday morning.
- Howell Donaldson III appeared in court Tuesday for status hearing
- He is facing 4 counts of murder in Seminole Heights slayings in fall 2017
- Donaldson and counsel asked questions of Judge Mark Wolfe
Howell Donaldson III, 26, was originally not going to appear for his morning hearing in front of Judge Mark Wolfe in Hillsborough County Court, but he changed his mind.
Donaldson is facing four charges of first-degree murder in the killings.
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The slayings left the community on edge for a little more than a month and received national news coverage. It started when 22-year-old Benjamin Mitchell was shot to death October 9, 2017.
Two days later, 32-year-old Monica Hoffa was slain. And on October 19, Anthony Naiboa, 20, was killed after taking the wrong bus home from his new job. On November 14, 60-year-old Ronald Felton was shot and killed.
Donaldson III was arrested November 28.
In court Tuesday, the defendant asked three questions of the judge:
"Is it my legal right to appear for every court appearance/hearing?" Yes, he will now attend all hearings.
"Since he wasn’t here for previous hearings, can his defense team provide defendant transcripts?" Wolfe said no, defense can brief defendant.
And he asked the court for professional help and a doctor outside of the jail facility. Donaldson complained that after being a college athlete, it's hard for him to stand up, and he feels physically ill.
Wolfe approved an examination from the jail medical staff.
Donaldson’s next disposition is set for 8:30 a.m. April 23.