Parents of accused Seminole Heights serial killer placed on house arrest
The parents of Howell Donaldson III, the man accused of shooting four people to death in a series of killings in Tampa’s Seminole Heights neighborhood last fall, were placed under house arrest Friday after refusing to answer questions about their son.
A judge found Rosita and Howell Donaldson Jr. in contempt and said the two should be under house arrest for no longer than six months and must wear GPS monitors, according to a report by Spectrum Bay News 9.
Prosecutor: "It is not our intent to have the Donaldsons end up in jail. It is our intent to have them comply with the court order."
— Dalia Dangerfield (@DangerDalia) February 16, 2018
One of the conditions to the house arrest ruling will be exceptions for religious, employment and medical purposes.
Since their son’s arrest in November, the parents have refused to answer questions in the case.
At first, the parents didn’t show up to court at their scheduled 9 a.m. time Friday. Their attorney reportedly took responsibility, saying that the father has a heart condition.
The couple reported to court shortly before 10 a.m., Bay News 9 reports.
Prosecutors in the case plan to seek the death penalty against Howell Donaldson III.
Samantha Putterman: 941-745-7027, @samputterman
This story was originally published February 16, 2018 at 1:57 PM with the headline "Parents of accused Seminole Heights serial killer placed on house arrest."