"26 Years Old, Feeling Like I'm 96": Howell Donaldson Addresses the Judge, FOX 13, 2019

Name: "26 Years Old, Feeling Like I'm 96": Howell Donaldson Addresses the Judge, FOX 13, 2019
Uploaded: 2019-01-30T00:00:00Z
Duration: 1 min 55 s
Description: At a 2019 pretrial hearing in Tampa, Howell Donaldson, then accused of the Seminole Heights killings, told the judge that 14 months in jail had worn him down and that he needed medical help.

At a 2019 pretrial hearing in Tampa, Howell Donaldson, then accused of the Seminole Heights killings, told the judge that 14 months in jail had worn him down and that he needed medical help.

Subject: Howell Emanuel "Trai" Donaldson III
Recorded: January 29, 2019
Runtime: 1:55

Content warning: Refers to the shooting deaths of four people; no graphic detail.

The Statement

This is a two-minute FOX 13 Tampa Bay report from January 29, 2019. That morning, at a pretrial hearing in Tampa, Howell Donaldson, then awaiting trial for the Seminole Heights killings, asked to speak to the judge. FOX 13's reporter said it was the first time they had heard him speak. Reporter Gloria Gomez said he talked for about five minutes about his treatment in jail; the report shows about 25 seconds of it, in his own voice.

Historical Context

In October and November 2017, four people were shot dead in the Seminole Heights neighborhood of Tampa: Benjamin Mitchell, 22, on October 9; Monica Hoffa, 32, on October 11 or 12; Anthony Naiboa, 20, on October 19; and Ronald Felton, 60, on November 14. On November 28, 2017, Donaldson handed his gun to his manager at a McDonald's in Ybor City, who alerted police. Ballistic tests linked the gun to all four killings. He was indicted for four counts of first-degree murder in December 2017 and pleaded not guilty.

Circumstances of the Statement

By January 2019 Donaldson had been in jail for 14 months. His attorneys told the court that more than 300 witnesses still had to be interviewed by both sides, so a trial was not expected soon. Donaldson asked to address the judge directly, and complained about his physical condition in jail.

What the Recording Covers

Donaldson says he is a former college athlete who is struggling to stand, that he is 26 but feels 96, that he has become tired over his 14 months in jail, and that he "sincerely" needs help. Gomez reports that the judge ordered a jail doctor to evaluate him, and that Donaldson also asked to be present at every hearing so he could help with his defense. He does not speak about the killings.

What Makes the Recording Significant

It records Donaldson's own voice at a time when he had made no public statement about the case. What he chose to raise with the court was his own health and comfort, not the charges against him.

Archival Importance

Donaldson pleaded guilty to all four murders in May 2023 and was sentenced to four consecutive life terms without parole. This short report preserves a recording of him speaking in court more than four years before that plea.

Important Caveats

At the time of the hearing Donaldson had not been convicted; the report correctly calls him "suspected" and "accused". His complaints about his health are his own claims, not findings of the court. The clip shows about 25 seconds of a statement that lasted about five minutes. No YouTube captions exist for this video, so the transcript rests on a single machine pass until it is checked by ear.

Anchor: ...suspected Seminole Heights killer, serial killer, told the judge he is hurting in jail and needs a doctor. [unclear: "Howell 'Trai'" / "How Trey"] Donaldson is accused of murdering four innocent people in the fall of 2017. In court today, he asked the judge for help. FOX 13's Gloria Gomez was in court for the surprising hearing this morning. Tell us what happened, Gloria.

Narrator: [unclear: "And" / "Well"] Kelly, keep in mind, we haven't heard Donaldson speak until now, and he had plenty to tell the judge. In fact, he says it's been really hard for him in jail, and he definitely needs [unclear: "his" / "some"] help. Now, Donaldson, as you said, is accused of killing four people in the Seminole Heights area in a six-week span in the fall of 2017. At a hearing this morning, Donaldson asked to speak to the judge, and in five minutes he talked about all the things that were happening to him in jail and how he wants to go to the hospital and be seen by a doctor. Take a look.

Howell Donaldson: I'm an ex-college athlete, and it's hard for me to stand right now. I'm struggling to stand right now. And I know that, I know my body, and I know that I'm a strong guy. [unclear: "You asked me if I'm" / "You ask me, I'm"] 26 years old, feeling like I'm 96 years old. Like I said, since I've gotten in jail the last 14 months, I've become tired. I really do sincerely need some help.

Narrator: And Kelly, like I said, he went on for five minutes talking about his ailments. The judge ordered a doctor to evaluate him at the jail, and if Donaldson does need some sort of treatment, he will get it. Donaldson also said he wants to be present for every court hearing so he can help with his defense. And his attorney said that over 300 witnesses in this case need to be interviewed by both sides, so the trial won't be happening anytime soon. Donaldson is accused of first-degree murder on four counts. He has pled not guilty to those counts. And of course, we'll have a lot more on what he had to say tonight at five and six. [01:55: clip ends.] ---