TAMPA -- A jury took four and a half hours before finding Ronnie Oneal III guilty of the murders of his daughter and the child's mother, as well as stabbing and setting their son on fire.
Oneal was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated child abuse, one count of arson and one count of resisting a law enforcement officer without violence.
The case featured a horrific 911 call from Kenyatta Barron, and the testimony of her son, who was eight at the time of the murders in 2018. The now 11-year-old was questioned by his own father. One of his most memorable answers: "You stabbed me."
Oneal represented himself during the trial, and screamed at the jury during opening statements and closing arguments. He actually admitted killing Barron during the closing, but claimed Barron was the one who had killed their daughter.
The jury returns for the penalty phase Wednesday. Prosecutors will call for the death penalty. Judge Michele Sisco urged Oneal to select an attorney, as he faces execution.
Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren issued this statement:
“These murders are among the most cruel and vicious our community has ever seen. Sitting in the courtroom with the victims’ family, hearing a mother’s screams, seeing the horrific pictures of her daughter—it’s hard to fathom how someone can do something so barbaric. His punishment—his life—now sits with a jury of his peers, as it should."
Photo: Hillsborough State Attorney