Oneal Avoids Death Penalty In Murders Of Girlfriend, Daughter

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Ronnie Oneal III, 32, was spared the death penalty Friday after a jury recommended life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murders in 2018 of his girlfriend, daughter and the stabbing of their son.

Courtroom cameras by WTSP showed Oneal had a smile on his face as he doodled on a piece of paper as each juror's decision was read aloud in court Friday afternoon.

In the state of Florida, for a person to receive the death penalty, every member of the jury must vote for the death penalty. In this case, not all jurors could agree on execution for Oneal's punishment.

During the 11-day trial, Oneal represented himself. For the penalty phase, it was suggested by the court that he hire an attorney to represent him.

During closing arguments that began Friday morning, Hillsborough County Public Defender Jennifer Spradley argued that Oneal's life experiences had shaped him, Bay News 9 reported.

"Ronnie Oneal is more than the worst things that he has ever done. He is a human being," she said. "Mr. Oneal is not beyond redemption. Under no circumstances should you vote death."

Testimony during the penalty phase the jury was told Oneal was sexually abused when he was 5 years old by family members and friends of the family. His brother told the court that he and Ronnie were victims of child abuse and Ronnie dealt with it the worst.

"Prosecutor Scott Harmon acknowledged that Oneal was sexually abused as a child and said the jury should consider that," the TV outlet reported. "He said it's up to the jurors to decide how much weight that carries when deciding where Oneal lives or dies."

In 2018, Oneal argued with his girlfriend, Kenyatta Barron, at their Riverview home, then beat and shot her to death, authorities said. He then killed their 9-year-old daughter, who had cerebral palsy, with an ax. Oneal next stabbed his then 8-year-old son several times and tried to set him on fire, but the boy was able to escape with severe injuries.

Oneal's son, now 11 years old, testified against his father in court.

"My dad said, 'Come in here and come kill this B word,' and then I went in the room, and he handed me a shotgun and help me shoot it," WTSP recorded the son saying during the trial.

The boy said that he didn't see Oneal fire the gun, but saw his mom go outside afterward.

Oneal will be formally sentenced by the judge July 23 at 10 a.m.

Related Patch Stories:

• Man Found Guilty For Double-Murder, Stabbing Son: State Attorney
• Man Accused Of 2 Killings In 2018 Interviews Jurors: Report