Life In Prison For Florida Man Who Went Viral For Courtroom Defense After Double Killing

A man from Florida will serve all his life in prison without parole for killing his girlfriend and their special-needs 8 YO daughter. 

This was the sentence for Ronnie Oneal when a jury opted not to recommend the death penalty. He was convicted of attempted murder, arson, aggravated child abuse, and murder. 

The jury recommends a sentence of life in prison for Ronnie Oneal in the double-murder of his 9-year-old special needs daughter, and his girlfriend, Kenyatta Barron. Oneal was also found guilty of the attempted murder of his (then) 8-year-old son, who he stabbed and set on fire. pic.twitter.com/w8u4JyI7tV

— Miranda Parnell WTSP (@miranda_parnell) June 25, 2021

He shot and beat to death his girlfriend and killed his 9 YO daughter with a hatchet. His daughter was with autism and suffered from cerebral palsy. He set fire to the family home and stabbed his 8 YO son.

The judge said that she had rarely heard of such a horrible case. I have seen so many things in every way imaginable but this is the worst. 

During the sentencing, Judge Michele Sisco told Ronnie Oneal this is the worst case she's seen.

"For the rest of my life I'll be haunted by what I saw as far as the evidence." https://t.co/XmKVS1knD1 pic.twitter.com/Yl4axwa81G

— WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) July 23, 2021

Oneal frequently yelled at the jury as he represented himself during the trial. He contended that he acted in self-defense and had a psychiatric evaluation that he was mentally fit for the trial. 

I want to say I am not sorry for the things I didn’t do and I am not sorry for the things I did do and said to the family of his girlfriend that I am sorry for your loss. 

The mother of his girlfriend said that I wish you would have gotten the death penalty.