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. Wiley initially told investigators that Felecia had run away while she and Ritchie had sex in a bedroom, but she later admitted she lied. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. TAMPA, Fla. -- A key witness testified Monday in the Granville Ritchie murder trial. You have entered an incorrect email address! The seven justices of the state Supreme Court did not reach a decision in Ritchie's case this week. Have a tip we should know? You're a better stronger woman than I am. Florida man Granville Ritchie, 40, was found guilty of raping and murdering 9-year-old Felecia Williams. The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the convictions and death sentence for a man who sexually battered and killed 9-year-old Felecia Williams. When Wiley returned nearly an hour later, Ritchie claimed that he gave Felecia money to go buy candy at a nearby CVS store and she had not returned. Tampa Area Local News, National Stories, and Politics, introu Wins Pitch Club Competition at Global Online Marketplaces Summit, Dr. Michael Dattoli Discusses Nonsurgical Cancer Treatments, The Free Press Journalistic And Ethical Standards, Explore The Fulgor Milano Collection At Famous Tate, Florida Missing Child Alert Issued For 3-Year-Old Ava Joseph, Libs Of TikTok Founder Branches Out With New Childrens Book Telling Kids To Trust Their Parents, Biden DOJ Pushes Congress To Renew Warrantless Surveillance Law, Dead Body Found In Temple Terrace Apartment With Infant, Deputies Seek Tips, The Free Press Tampa Local, Florida, Politics, and National News. Ritchies defense plans to raise a number of mitigating factors to argue for a life sentence, instead. Harmon is a veteran prosecutor who has been prosecuting homicides for 20 years,' she told the court. Police search allotment sheds for Constance Marten's missing baby. "I think most parents have a moment when a child runs away from them, they can't find a child, a call or text message goes unanswered for a period of time. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. "May God have mercy on your soul, Mr. Ritchie," Judge. 2023 FOX Television Stations. On Wednesday, the 12-member jury found the 40-year-old Ritchie guilty in the girl's 2014 rape and murder. They asked for tissues then said they needed a break. . By 4:30 p.m., they returned the guilty verdict. By 4:30 p.m., they returned the guilty verdict. The woman, Eboni Wiley, testified even though she had only know Ritchie for a couple of days, she left Felecia with him to go buy some marijuana. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 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. Later that night, Ritchie drove to the Courtney Campbell Causeway where he dumped Felecia's body into the bay. "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. These cookies do not store any personal information. May God have mercy on your soul, Mr. Ritchie., https://www.fox13news.com/news/granville-ritchie-sentenced-to-death-for-2014-rape-murder-of-9-year-old-felecia-williams, Your email address will not be published. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. The woman, Eboni Wiley, testified that even though she had only known Ritchie for several days, she left Felecia with him to go buy some marijuana. If convicted, he faces a possible death sentence. 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Ritchie, now 43, is an inmate at Union Correctional Institution, according to the Florida Department of Corrections website. They spent the past two days in the penalty phase of the trial listening to witnesses and hearing arguments from the After Demerson left the courtroom, the juror leaned forward, shielding her face. Some days I dont know if Im coming or going.. pic.twitter.com/ICiF7E3rSA. TAMPA, Fla. A jury found Granville Ritchie guilty of murder and rape Wednesday afternoon in the 2014 killing of 9-year . Historique L'entreprise. Apparent signs of sexual abuse on the victims body might have happened while she was floating in the water, exposed to the elements. Prosecutors believe it was Felecia calling for help. A Florida man has been sentenced to death for the 2014 rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl left in his care. 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. Your email address will not be published. Defense casts doubt as Granville Ritchie trial winds down, Jury in Granville Ritchies murder trial hears his account of girls disappearance, He sold me a dream. Ex-girlfriend links Granville Ritchie to 9-year-old murder victim, She was looking into the face of her killer: Trial opens in slaying of girl, 9, Jury seated in trial of Granville Ritchie, accused of strangling young girl. Assistant State Attorney Scott Harmon responded that from what he saw, the juror handled the situation responsibly, turning her head away until she could get out. 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. 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The sentencing phase will begin when court resumes Thursday morning. First, I am in awe of your bravery and your tireless advocacy for your daughter. The Golden Rule argument refers to an argument put forth by the prosecution in a jury trial, where jurors are persuaded to consider themselves in the place of the victim in reaching a verdict that they would prefer the defendant to get. According to the Tamp Bay Times, prosecutors said Ritchie raped and strangled the young woman before putting her body in a suitcase. There will be no corporeal redemption for you your physical being, your person, Sisco said as she gave the sentence, the Tampa Bay Times reported. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Roebuck, the appellant's attorney, insisted that there was nothing spontaneous about Harmon's argument. Wiley said during a trial that Ritchie said he gave Felecia money to buy candy from a store. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}Your submission failed. The jury recommended the death penalty. Granville Ritchie was sentenced to death by the State of Florida for the sexual assault and murder of a nine year old girl. Granville Ritchie was sentenced to. Support journalism byclicking here to ourGiveSendGoor sign up for ourfree newsletter by clicking here. I know youre a woman of deep faith. L'anne suivante, soutenant financirement le couturier depuis ses dbuts, Marcel Boussac [n 1] fonde la Socit Christian Dior parfums, SARL nomme alors plus communment Dior Parfums [n 2].Serge Heftler-Louiche, ami du couturier et natif . All I know is he needs to be like her.. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. But the judge told them to speak up if what they hear becomes overwhelming. "I am here to bury this Jamaican today," she said during the hearing. A convicted child rapist and murderer is appealing his death sentence in Florida arguing that the prosecutor violated the so-called Golden Rule by asking the jury to imagine his victims suffering. 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. After hearing a number of witness impact statements, Judge Michelle Sisco sentenced Granville Ritchie to death for killing Felecia Williams in 2014. She takes medication for depression. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Ritchie did poorly in school, repeating 9th grade before dropping out in 10th, jurors were told. "For most parents, that moment passes but for a few unfortunate ones, it doesn't. Granville Ritchie, 35, of this suburb northeast of Tampa also was charged with capital sexual battery and aggravated child abuse in the death of Felecia Williams, police Chief Kenneth Albano. Later that night, a 911 call was made on Ritchies phone that only lasted a few seconds. Justice Jorge Labarga argued that Ritchie should receive a new sentencing hearing. In September 2019, Ritchie was found guilty of first-degree murder, sexual battery and aggravated child abuse. She met Ritchie in May of that year and the two began dating. How did Vladimir Putin lose half of Russia's elite paratroopers? 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. ''I'm not like everybody else, bro. 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On the night of her murder, Felecia, who was known to her family as Sugar Plum, was left alone with Ritchie at his Temple Terrace apartment by a woman who was supposed to be watching her. Buckwalter claimed that the prosecutor was simply describing Ritchies actions to jurors and made a brusque comment. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. My heart breaks for you.". You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. My heart breaks for you. Instead, it becomes a first step of a neverending nightmare you never wake from. 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. A Florida man has been sentenced to death for the 2014 rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl left in his care . Ritchie's lawyer had argued against a death penalty, claiming factors like an abusive childhood in Kingston, Jamaica, the Tampa Bay Times reported. She didnt deserve thatits hard for all of us to deal with it, you know, but we have to take it one day at a time.. On Tuesday, a Hillsborough County jury found. Copyright 2022The Free Press, LLC,tampafp.com. He wrote this argument, gave it to his colleagues, I guarantee it, and tested it. "For him to feel what my daughter felt over and over again. And Granville Ritchie knew better.. 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. [emailprotected]. I think most parents have a moment when a child runs away from them, they can't find a child, a call or text message goes unanswered for a period of time. "I don't 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. He said she used ecstasy, and that she said it could feel like Satan was manipulating her while she was on it. "The child victim suffered a horrendous, physically painful, psychologically torturous death," Sisco said in court on Friday. 10:20 EST 05 Nov 2021 Wiley has been charged with lying during a missing person investigation. To her family, Felecia was known as Sugar Plum. She loved animals and her family. According to the Tamp Bay Times, prosecutors said that Ritchie raped and strangled the young girl before stuffing her body into a suitcase. Later that night, Ritchie drove to the Courtney Campbell Causeway, where he dumped Felecias body into the bay. She explained that she recently suffered a personal loss. The child's mother and a judge had some parting words. The only thing I regret today is I cannot ask for his fatethat would be for him to be hung. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Jurors in Tampa murder trial confront ultimate question: Could they impose the death penalty? He grew up in a poverty-stricken neighborhood, plagued with crime and violence, and endured beatings from a father who had 18 children by several different mothers. I have no ill will against you, Jerome Williams said, reports WREG. 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