Kalisz, suspect in fatal shootings, waives arraignment

Murder defendant John Kalisz waived his arraignment today and will enter an absentee plea of not guilty, court sources said.

Kalisz, 55, was scheduled to appear in Hernando County Circuit Court this morning, but was not transported after the agreement was reached between his attorney and the state attorney's office.

The Spring Hill man was indicted last month on multiple charges of first-degree murder in Hernando and Dixie counties.

Kalisz is accused of gunning down his sister, Kitty Donovan, 61, and her employee, Deborah Tillotson, 59, the afternoon of Jan. 14 at Donovan's home off Wilhelm Road. Both women died at the scene.

During the rampage, Kalisz also shot his pregnant niece, Manessa Donovan, 19, and Amy Wilson, 31, deputies said.

Wilson and Donovan survived, but Donovan's unborn child died during surgery.

Hours after the Brooksville shootings, Kalisz drove to Dixie County, pulled into a gas station and opened fire on pursuing deputies, killing Capt. Chad Reed, prosecutors said.

Kalisz was shot in the face during the gunfight, but survived his injuries.

A pretrial hearing will be scheduled for next month, court officials said.