TAMPA, Fla. — The man accused of killing four people in Seminole Heights might not be mentally fit to stand trial, his attorneys say.
Lawyers for Howell Donaldson III filed a motion this week requesting a judge allow their client to undergo a mental competency exam.
Charles Traina, the assistant public defender who filed the motion, stated Donaldson might be incapable of fully understanding the gravity of the situation and the charges against him. Donaldson potentially faces a death row sentence if convicted of the charges against him.
The motion indicates that Donaldson's defense believes he may need treatment at a state hospital.
But Tampa lawyer Jon Hackworth says a defendant doesn't walk free if they're found incompetent.
"It’s a pause button in the sense that if someone is found to be incompetent, that pauses the prosecution against them," he said.
Court proceedings can continue once it's determined a defendant understands the crimes they're accused of committing, the potential punishments they face and are able to aid in their own defense, Hackworth said.
Donaldson is accused of randomly shooting and killing Benjamin Mitchell, Monica Hoffa, Anthony Naiboa and Ronald Felton over the course of several weeks in October and November in Tampa's southeast Seminole Heights neighborhood. He was arrested in late November at the Ybor City McDonald's where he worked after police say he gave a bag with a handgun in it to a fellow employee.
Remembering 4 lives lost in Seminole Heights killings
► PHOTOS: Seminole Heights shootings victims
A hearing is scheduled on Wednesday morning where a psychologist will be assigned to evaluate Donaldson. Florida statute states limits the number of doctors to three who can given an opinion on a defendants' competence.
►Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the 10 News app now.
Have a news tip? Email tips@wtsp.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.
