TAMPA, Fla. — The accused Seminole Heights serial killer will be in a courtroom Thursday.

Howell Donaldson wants the death penalty thrown out. Donaldson and his lawyers are calling it unconstitutional.

Donaldson is charged with killing four people during a string of murders that terrorized the Seminole Heights community in the fall of 2017.

Prosecutors say he gunned down the four victims who just happened to be walking alone.

After Donaldson was arrested and indicted by a grand jury, prosecutors announced they would seek the death penalty.

A Tampa judge will make the final decision on capital punishment.

The slayings, which took place over 51 days in the fall of 2017, left the community on edge and received national news coverage.

It started when 22-year-old Benjamin Mitchell was shot to death Oct. 9, 2017.

Two days later, 32-year-old Monica Hoffa, was slain. Days after that, Anthony Naiboa, 20, was killed after taking the wrong bus home from his new job. On Nov. 14, 60-year-old Ronald Felton was shot and killed in the early-morning hours.

Donaldson III was arrested Nov. 28, 2017 an an Ybor City McDonalds. He was initially slated to go on trial in August 2020.