TAMPA -- At least one juror didn't believe Ronnie Oneal should get the death penalty.
Since Florida law now requires a unanimous recommendation for capital punishment, the Riverview man convicted of the grisly killings of his girlfriend and their disabled daughter, and the stabbing of their son, will be sentenced to life without parole next month. According to testimony, Oneal killed Kenyatta Barron as she was calling 911, killed their daughter with an axe, then went after their son, the only survivor. He testified against Oneal and had to face gruesome cross-examination by his father, who was representing himself.
Unlike the guilt phase, Oneal chose to use public defenders for his penalty phase. They brought up mitigating factors, including his own experience as a childhood rape victim.
Oneal will be formally sentenced July 23rd. Relatives of Barron's will have the chance to address him then, without the restrictions of the sentencing phase.
Photo: WFLA-TV News Channel 8