TAMPA, Fla. — Accused killer Howell Donaldson III has been found competent to stand trial.
The findings were based on evaluations by three doctors. They, like Donaldson, were not present during the Thursday morning court hearing.
The determination means the doctors who evaluated Donaldson believe there is no issue in terms of his ability to understand the charges against him, or his ability to assist in his own defense. Those are two big qualifiers that determine someone's competency to stand trial.
Donaldson is accused of killing four people in Seminole Heights over a five-week period last year. Benjamin Mitchell, Monica Hoffa, Anthony Naiboa, and Ronald Felton were all killed as they walked along in southeast Seminole Heights.
If Donaldson is found guilty during the trial, he could face the death penalty.
State attorney Andrew Warren, who spoke after Thursday morning's court hearing said the competency determination reaffirms their pursuit of the death penalty in the case.
While Donaldson was not present, several relatives of Felton and Hoffa were in the courtroom.
Cherylene Levy, Felton's sister, said the findings bring some comfort because she knows a different decision could've dragged out an already slow process. She and Hoffa's relatives said while the understand the need to be thorough, they've been frustrated with the seemingly sluggish pace.
"I think it will help this whole process to go a little faster because we don't' have to wait the three or four years for {Donaldson} to be in an institution then come back another two or three years and wait for trial so that is a great relief," Levy said.
Warren empathized with some of the families' frustrations.
"This is something no family should have to endure," he said. "Compounding the loss of their loved one is sometimes that the wheels of justice spin very slowly and they want justice for their family members."
Earlier this month Donaldson's parents were released from house arrest after a judge said they cooperated with authorities. Howell Donaldson Jr. and Rosita Donaldson were on house arrest for six months after being found in civil contempt of court for refusing to answer questions about their son.
Donaldson's next court date is scheduled for Oct. 30
10News reporter Josh Sidorowicz contributed to this report.
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