New burden for families of Seminole Heights murder victims: Weighing in on death penalty

TAMPA — They each lost a loved one to murder.

They each longed for justice amid news of an arrest.

But now, the families of four people shot to death in Seminole Heights face a new burden — weighing in on the possible fate of the man accused of all four fatal shootings.

Some favor execution if 24-year-old Howell Emanuel Donaldson III is convicted of first-degree murder.

Some can't make up their minds about how to punish Donaldson if he's found guilty.

Still others stand opposed to a death sentence.

MOTIVE STILL A MYSTERY: Crises marked upbringing of defendant Howell Donaldson III

The choice rests with Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren. The county's top prosecutor has said the wishes of the victims families will carry significant weight in that decision.

At least one family member, who supports capital punishment, said a recent meeting with prosecutors and the other families left him unconvinced that Warren would be on board.

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Donaldson is charged with killing Benjamin Mitchell, 22, Monica Hoffa, 32, Anthony Naiboa, 20 and Ronald Felton, 60.

The four murders, which occurred over a 51-day period in October and November, terrorized the southeast Seminole Heights neighborhood, drew national media attention and galvanized local law enforcement agencies in the hunt for a killer.

Warren, whose job is to prosecute crime in Hillsborough County, has adopted a reserved approach to capital punishment since taking office almost a year ago.

Emails and other records obtained from his office, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times, reflect an ambivalence toward the death penalty. In a proposed policy statement drafted in March, Warren wrote that he would seek death in the worst cases, and not in those "where mental illness played a role in the commission of the crime."

Of 24 death penalty cases he inherited, he withdrew the pursuit of capital punishment in seven. His office has sought death sentences against three new defendants.

He faced a barrage of questions in a news conference after Donaldson's first court appearance Nov. 30.

"The death penalty should be reserved for the worst of the worst offenders in our society," he said then. "And, generally speaking, a serial killer would qualify."

Warren also said he will seek capital punishment if he believes the case meets legal requirements, and if it is "consistent with the wishes of the victims' families."

State rules of criminal procedure give prosecutors 45 days from the date of a defendant's arraignment to declare their intent to seek the death penalty. At Donaldson's arraignment Dec. 11, the state said it would likely make a decision by the next court date on Jan. 25.

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Hoffa's father, Kenny Hoffa, said he would have "no problem" seeing Donaldson die, if convicted.

"If it were up to me, and the judge asked whether I wanted life or death, I wouldn't have a problem with him dying for what he has done to my daughter," Hoffa said. He added that he understands making a recommendation to seek death is a difficult decision.

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"I think each of us has to struggle with that ourselves," he said.

"How difficult is it to be called and told your daughter was killed?" he asked. "How difficult is it to find out that out of the blue someone hunted your child down and took their life? Everything is going to be difficult. We just have to put our faith in God and trust he is going to lead the justice system to the right answer."

Naiboa's father Casimar Naiboa has no doubt about what he wants to see happen to Donaldson.

"I want to see the death penalty," Naiboa said. "My only burden is that I don't get to see my kid anymore. The guy took his life. He gets three meals a day and gets to see his parents."

Felton's twin brother, Reggie Felton, wavered.

"I would like to see him either doing hard time or be put to death," Felton said.

When pressed, he was more definitive.

"I'd rather see him get the death penalty."

Reggie Felton's wife, Gloria Felton, attended the meeting with Warren but declined to comment on what happened or her preference on punishment.

Felton's sister, Tina Felton, takes a clear stand.

"I am against the death penalty," she said. "I have always been against the death penalty."

Mitchell's aunt, Bettie McDaniels, declined to speak with a reporter.

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There are also differences in the level of confidence families have in whether Warren will aggressively pursue the death penalty.

"I want this guy to be aggressive," Casimar Naiboa said. "I don't feel confident that he will be."

Naiboa said he was basing his assessment on Warren's body language in a recent meeting with the victims' families. He said he also felt Warren gave evasive responses to repeated questions about whether he will aggressively seek the death penalty should Donaldson be convicted.

"He said he will do justice for the families and work for the wishes of the families, but every time we pushed the subject, he went around the bush," Naiboa said. "He didn't give me confidence that he is tough on crime."

Hoffa's father, who participated on the meeting via conference call, said he had a different take.

"I think that if all the criteria are met, he will go for the death penalty," Hoffa said. "I have the confidence that this is going to happen."

Contact Howard Altman at (813) 225-3112 and Dan Sullivan at (813) 226-3386. follow @haltman and @timesdan