RIVERVIEW, Fla. — The Hillsborough County man accused of killing his wife and daughter chose not to have a lawyer for his trial.
If convicted, Ronnie Oneal III faces the death penalty after Hillsborough County investigators said he fatally shot his wife, stabbed his 9-year-old daughter to death and stabbed his 8-year-old son. His son was the only one to survive. Prosecutors say this happened in Riverview in March 2018.
On Monday, jury selection began in Oneal's trial, which will have 12 jurors and 2-3 alternates.
During jury selection on Monday, only 17 of the 70 perspective jurors were sent home. The judge expects jury selection to run through Friday. Right now, court officials are asking potential jurors routine questions. The judge asks potential jurors questions like, if they have a problem with the case or a scheduling issue involving the length of the trial.
The judge expects opening arguments to begin on June 14, but that could change.
Oneal right now will not have a lawyer, but a public defender is expected to be on standby in the case he changes his mind.
One Florida attorney explained in a high profile case like this, it's not smart to decide against representation.
“There are very few things less stressful than representing yourself in a criminal trial, probably the only thing is representing yourself in a criminal trial. You really need someone who is well trained in the rules of evidence," said lawyer James Smith.
Oneal pleaded not guilty in April 2018. In May 2018, the State Attorney's Office announced it would seek the death penalty. Five months later, Oneal was found not competent to stand trial.
In May 2019, the Department of Children and Families sent a letter to the judge saying, "the treatment staff are of the opinion that this resident is competent to proceed and no longer meets criteria for continued involuntary commitment." The judge ruled the following month that Oneal was competent to stand trial.
Oneal faces two charges of first-degree premeditated murder, a first-degree arson charge, a charge for resisting an officer without violence and two charges of aggravated child abuse. He also faces an attempted murder charge after authorities say he nearly killed his son the same night.
Jury selection will continue Tuesday.
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