Wiley initially told investigators that Felecia had run away while she and Ritchie had sex in a bedroom, but she later admitted she lied. The girls body was found washed up on a shoreline a day after she had been left alone with Ritchie. If convicted, he faces a possible death sentence. The evidence in this case established that Ritchie committed a horrific murder, and I fully concur in the majoritys decision to affirm his conviction for first-degree murder, Labarga wrote. Youre a better stronger woman than I am. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. You can see proceedings in the player above. Wiley has been charged with lying during a missing person investigation. I think most parents have a moment when a child runs away from them, they cant find a child, a call or text message goes unanswered for a period of time. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Open in Our App But the judge told them to speak up if what they hear becomes overwhelming. I wish you all of the best.. You're a better stronger woman than I am. After four hours of deliberation, the jury found Ritchie guilty of first-degree murder, sexual battery and aggravated child abuse. Harmon is a veteran prosecutor who has been prosecuting homicides for 20 years,' she told the court. TAMPA, Fla. -- A key witness testified Monday in the Granville Ritchie murder trial. 'He wrote out this argument, he gave it to colleagues, I guarantee you, and tested it. Even though the server responded OK, it is possible the submission was not processed. The child's mother and a judge had some parting words. 'Im trying to figure out how that is not a Golden Rule violation,' Grosshans said, referring to the prosecutor's speech. Still, she said, she can put her feelings aside and continue hearing the case. Jurors saw photos of the 9-year-old girl, all with a wide smile one of her donning a blue dress at a wedding where she served as a flower girl, another of her sitting on a couch beside her mother, and a third of her mugging for a selfie as she lies on a mattress. A Florida man faces the death penalty after being convicted of murdering a 9-year-old girl when she was left alone with him in 2014, PEOPLE confirms. PREVIOUS:Granville Ritchie found guilty of murder in 2014 killing of 9-year-old Felecia Williams. "Important to be was the fact that there was a pattern, where it wasn't a typical neck strangulation, where you got a lot of injury to all of the muscles up here in the neck," explained Dr. William Anderson, a pathologist. Granville Ritchie, 41, was convicted of first-degree murder, sexual battery and aggravated child abuse in September 2019. . Have a tip or story idea? Rick Buckwalter, the Florida appeals attorney, admitted it was a close call, but argued that Harmon did not cross the line. My heart breaks for you.". They asked for tissues then said they needed a break. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? After hearing a number of witness impact statements, Judge Michelle Sisco sentenced Granville Ritchie to death for killing Felecia Williams in 2014. The girl's body was found washed up on a shoreline a day after she had been left alone with Ritchie. During Friday's hearing, Felecia's mother addressed the court, calling for Ritchie's death. If anyone causes one of these little ones those who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea., That scripture is talking to someone that knows better, Demerson said. Rather, viewing the record in its totality, it was the evidence of Ritchies horrific and senseless crimes against the victim, not the prosecutors missteps, that secured the recommendation of death. Justice Ricky Polston agreed with the outcome of the majority opinion but did not sign onto it. Android Users,Click Here To Download The Free Press AppAnd Never Miss A Story. Ritchie was convicted in 2019 of first degree murder, s*xual assault and aggravated child abuse in connection with Felecias death. I am here to bury this Jamaican today, she said during the hearing. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Copyright 2023 My Crime Library | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. During jury selection two weeks ago, the woman who wept told the court she works as a kindergarten teachers aid. Prosecutors cited three aggravating factors to support their argument for a death sentence: The victim was younger than 12; her murder occurred during a sexual battery; and the killing was especially heinous, atrocious and cruel. He pointed as Wiley as a possible perpetrator of the murder. En 1946 Christian Dior s'installe au 30, avenue Montaigne [11], l'ouverture de la boutique [12] a lieu en dcembre. RELATED STORY: You cant get over it. Mother works to preserve memory of daughter who was slain at age 9, Subscribe to our free HowTheyLived newsletter. Ritchie, now 43, is an inmate at Union Correctional Institution, according to the Florida Department of Corrections website. Ritchie is accused in the 2014 murder of 9-year-old Felecia Williams. Who is Granville Ritchie? Ritchie and Felecia did not know each other before they met on May 16, 2014, but they were both close with Eboni Wiley, who was the man's then-girlfriend and the girl's neighbor and family friend. Investigators later found leaves and sand matching evidence from the crime scene. Defense attorney Daniel Hernandez asked Hillsborough Circuit Judge Michelle Sisco to either bar the entire panel from hearing the rest of the case or to excuse the juror who wept. This is as tough as it gets, Sisco said. Ritchie faces the death penalty. Ritchie may have suffered brain damage, Eisenstein said. By 4:30 p.m., they returned the guilty verdict. Ritchie then sexually assaulted and strangled the girl while Wiley was away, prosecutors said during his trial. I dont know what your spiritual leanings arehowever, if you do everpray to a higher power, either now or at some point, and you truly seek forgivenessI hope that it is granted. {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}Your submission failed. VisitTampafp.comforPolitics,Tampa Area Local News,Sports, andNational Headlines. Nearly a year aftera jury recommended Granville Ritchie be put to death for the rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl, an emotional judge agreed, and sentenced him to death on Friday morning. By Fallon Silcox Hillsborough County. Hernandez expressed concern about the panels ability to make a fair decision on the death penalty. Apparent signs of sexual abuse on the victims body might have happened while she was floating in the water, exposed to the elements. I just cant believe he did that to her, Felecias cousin, Rashida Johnson, told WTSP shortly after her death. 'May God have mercy on your soul.'. Granville Ritchie, the man who raped and murdered 9-year-old Felecia Williams in 2014, was sentenced to death Friday. The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the conviction and death sentence of a Hillsborough County man convicted of sexually assaulting and murdering a 9-year-old girl and dumping her body in water off the Courtney Campbell Causeway. Prosecutors said Ritchie had been dating Felecia's neighbor, Eboni Wiley, in May 2014. On Wednesday, the 12-member jury found the 40-year-old Ritchie guilty in the girls 2014 rape and murder. Roebuck, the appellants attorney, insisted that there was nothing spontaneous in Harmons argument. In October 2020, she pleaded guilty to lying to law enforcement and was later sentenced to 75 days in jail and five years of probation. You're a better, stronger woman than I am. They traveled to a home, where the defendant was alone with the victim starting at about 4:50 p.m. Investigators claim he committed the crime, stuffed the body in a suitcase, and dumped this by the Courtney Campbell Causeway. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Copyright 2022The Free Press, LLC,tampafp.com. The server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). First, I am in awe of your bravery and your tireless advocacy for your daughter. Granville Ritchie, 41, was convicted of killing and raping Felecia Williams in Florida in May 2014. He said she used ecstasy, and that she said it could feel like Satan was manipulating her while she was on it. By During a hearing in Florida Supreme Court on Thursday, Justice Jamie Grosshans closely scrutinized Harmon's remarks and signaled she was leaning towards the position of the defense. According to Ritchie's appellate attorney Rachel Roebuck, Harmon's impassioned speech violated what is known in the legal profession as the Golden Rule, which is an argument that persuades jurors to put themselves in the place of the victim when considering a verdict, reported Fox 13. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. The child's mother and a judge had some parting words. According to the Tamp Bay Times, prosecutors said that Ritchie raped and strangled the young girl before stuffing her body into a suitcase. After she completed her testimony, Judge Sisco said she had struggled with how to convey her thoughts toward Demerson, but told her the following: "I've thought long and hard about what I was going to say to you. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. On the day of the murder, Felecia left home with Wiley and went to Ritchie's mother's apartment at the Doral Oaks Apartment complex. She met Ritchie in May of that year and the two began dating. By Aconvicted child rapist and murderer is appealing his death sentence in Florida by arguing that the prosecutor violated the so-called 'Golden Rule' by asking the jury to imagine his victim's suffering. ", Felecia Demerson holds up an image of her daughter, Felecia Williams, during the sentencing hearing for her killer. She was allowed to remain on the panel. Ritchie motioned for Wiley, who was babysitting Felecia, to leave the house to buy marijuana. I know you're a woman of deep faith. Demerson showed poise on the witness stand, her voice never breaking as she talked about Felecias birth, how she liked to feed ducks in the neighborhood pond, and how she sang in her church youth choir. When she returned Ritchie told her he let Sugarplum go to the CVS to get candy. I think there is a good chance there was somebody pressing the arm down or kneeling on the patient for a period of time. The argument is considered improper and could be grounds for an appeal because the jurors have to consider a case in an objective manner and rely on evidence alone, instead of their feelings and biases. . For most parents, that moment passes but for a few unfortunate ones, it doesnt. That is true. Learn More{{/message}}. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. These cookies do not store any personal information. During Ritchies trial, the court heard from Felecias mother. Eboni Wiley, in May 2014, prosecutors said. Youll get a remembrance of Tampa Bay residents weve lost, including heartwarming and amusing details about their lives, every Tuesday. Instead, it becomes a first step of a neverending nightmare you never wake from. Court is being held in Hillsborough County. 10:20 EST 05 Nov 2021 Woman Pleads Guilty to Shooting Ex-Cop Husband Over Allegations He Molested Children at Her Daycare, Pieper Lewis, Sex Trafficking Victim Who Killed Alleged Rapist, Escapes from Custody, Chinese-Canadian Singer Kris Wu Sentenced to 13 Years for Raping Multiple Women: Reports, Mel Gibson Can Testify in Support of Accuser at Harvey Weinstein Trial, Judge Rules, Jury Recommends Death for Fla. Man Who Killed 2 Boys with Hammer in 'Violent and Relentless Rage', Ohio Softball Coach Sexually Abused a Student, Then Begged Teen Not to Tell Authorities, Kansas Police Officer Allegedly Preyed on Black Women and Girls for Years: 'Terrorized a Community', R. Kelly Found Guilty on Six Counts in Child Pornography Trial, R.I. Man Accused of Sexually Abusing 12-Year-Old Girl, Then Offering Fellow Inmate $200 to Kill Her. She left 9-yr-old Sugarplum with Ritchie. A Florida man faces the death penalty after being convicted of murdering a 9-year-old girl when she was left alone with him in 2014, PEOPLE confirms. The penalty phase of the trial started Thursday. During the trial, Ritchies girlfriend testified that Ritchie asked to use her car. This is his direct appeal. Prosecutor Scott Harmonsaid in closing arguments on Wednesday that Ritchie was a master manipulator, who lied and used Wiley and his mother to cover up what really happened. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Wiley is charged in an ongoing case with allegedly providing false information to law enforcement. She takes medication for depression. I know that you know that you and Felecia will have a joyous reunion. [. Granville Ritchie would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death. During his sentencing hearing last year, Felecias father surprised the courtroom by telling the murderer of his daughter that he forgave him. I do still see the humanity in you,Judge Sisco said after delivering the death sentence. LIVE: Granville Ritchie, the Tampa man convicted in the 2014 murder of 9-year-old Felecia Williams, is expected to be formally sentenced this morning. This was deliberate. TAMPA, Fla. (FOX 13) - A jury of his peers has found Granville Ritchie guilty of murder in the 2014 killing of 9-year-old Felecia Williams. Friday's sentencingincluded testimony from Felecia Demerson, the 9-year-old's mother. More than six years after the child's death, Ritchie was sentenced with the death penalty on Friday, the Tampa Bay Times reported. If the inmate wins on appeal, he will be awarded a new sentencing trial to determine whether he is re-sentenced to life imprisonment or the death penalty. If the inmate wins on appeal, he would be granted a new sentencing trial to determine whether he gets life in prison or the death penalty again. Before court resumed Wednesday, she was brought in alone and questioned. They traveled to a home, where the defendant was alone with the victim starting at about 4:50 p.m. Investigators claim he committed the crime, stuffed the body in a suitcase, and dumped it by the Courtney Campbell Causeway. He wrote this argument, gave it to his colleagues, I guarantee it, and tested it. Fridays sentencingincluded testimony from Felecia Demerson, the 9-year-olds mother. I have no ill will against you, Jerome Williams said, reports WREG. Wiley and Ritchie picked her up on May 16, 2014. TAMPA, Fla. A year after his trial, Granville Ritchie has been sentenced to death for the 2014 murder of 9-year-old Felecia Williams. The child victim suffered a horrendous, physically painful, psychologically torturous death,Hillsborough Circuit Judge Michelle Sisco said with her voice cracking, before removing her glasses to wipe away tears, Investigators said, back in 2014, Ritchie assaulted and strangled young Felecia Williams before stuffing her body in a suitcase and dumping her into the water near the Courtney Campbell Causeway. It is unreasonable to think, in light of the facts of this case, that any juror would be able to avoid all signs of emotion, Sisco said. When the rest of the jurors were brought in, Sisco told them that, as human beings, it is normal to feel emotional in cases of such magnitude. 'May God have mercy on your soul.' Public housing tenants ask if old maps are accurate. The sentencing hearing began Thursday and continued Friday. Authorities said she originally lied to them during the investigation into Williams disappearance. Instead, it becomes a first step of a neverending nightmare you never wake from. How far did Zion Cemetery stretch? Granville Ritchie, 41, was sentenced to death in September 2020 for the 2014 murder of nine-year-old Felecia Williams, who was raped, strangled, stuffed into a suitcase and thrown over an overpass. Wiley has been prosecuting homicides for 20 years, ' she told the she. A joyous reunion the courtroom by telling the murderer of his daughter that he forgave him was Felecia... Today, she said during the investigation into Williams disappearance i do still see the humanity in,! The Free Press AppAnd never Miss a Story to improve this message accused in 2014... S * xual assault and aggravated child abuse in connection with Felecias.. 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