Closing arguments began and ended Monday for prosecutors and a double-murder suspect representing himself in trial.
Jurors are now tasked with determining the fate of Ronnie O’Neal, accused of murdering his girlfriend and 9-year-old daughter – and attempting to kill his 8-year-old son. O’Neal and prosecutors spent all of last week making their cases.
Prosecutors began their closing arguments Monday morning the same way they began their opening remarks: with the 911 call from 33-year-old Kenyatta Barron, O’Neal’s girlfriend, as she pleaded for her life. Prosecutors said, by then, she had already been shot and, while the recording continued, O’Neal can be heard beating her with a shotgun.
Much like his opening statements one week ago, O’Neal yelled as he spoke to jurors, saying his son’s statements were inconsistent and that he believed his son was likely coached by the Hillsborough County detective who later adopted him.
Related: Former HCSO Detective Takes The Stand at Ronnie O’Neal III Trial
“I did kill Kenyatta Barron, but I want you to tell it like it is if you’re going to tell it,” he said.
It was a week of emotional and difficult testimony from first responders, neighbors, and even O’Neal’s own son, who testified as a witness.
On Friday, before the state and defense rested their cases, jurors saw images of O’Neal taken the night of the murders. The lead detective on the case testified when he arrived at the scene, saying O’Neal was covered in blood and smelled like gasoline.
Earlier in the week, O’Neal’s son told jurors his father had poured gasoline on him after stabbing him, then lit him on fire.
As part of his defense, O’Neal called one of his former neighbors to the stand, who described watching Barron try to run to another neighbor’s home for help but said she never made it.
Related: Ronnie O’Neal III Facing Death Penalty in Murder of Woman and Child Acts as His Own Lawyer at Trial
O’Neal declined to take the stand himself but has claimed he acted in self-defense after being attacked. Jurors were played a 911 call made by O’Neal on the night of the murders. In it, he told dispatch that the mother of his children had tried to kill him. The call came in 10 minutes after Barron called 911 for help.
During Barron’s call, jurors heard O’Neal yelling in the background. O’Neal has claimed her 911 calls were fabricated.
If convicted, O’Neal could face the death penalty.
Jurors were instructed ahead to pack an overnight bag in case they’re sequestered during deliberations.
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