Youll get a remembrance of Tampa Bay residents weve lost, including heartwarming and amusing details about their lives, every Tuesday. In September 2019, all 12 jurors agreed Ritchie, who grew up in Jamaica,should face the death penalty. 'Im trying to figure out how that is not a Golden Rule violation,' Grosshans said, referring to the prosecutor's speech. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It is in light of this horrific crime, though, that the prosecutor was duty-bound to take great care to ensure that the jurys recommendation of life or death was based on the facts and not on inflammatory and improper arguments.. Ritchie was convicted in 2019 of first degree murder, s*xual assault and aggravated child abuse in connection with Felecias death. He wrote this argument, gave it to his colleagues, I guarantee it, and tested it. You have entered an incorrect email address! PREVIOUS:Granville Ritchie found guilty of murder in 2014 killing of 9-year-old Felecia Williams. STATE OF FLORIDA V. GRANVILLE RITCHIE WWW.CQINVESTIGATIONS.COM The body of Felecia Williams was found off the Courtney Campbell Causeway five . Buckwalter claimed that the prosecutor was merely describing for the jurors Ritchie's actions and made an offhand remark. 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. 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. By 4:30 p.m., they returned the guilty verdict. After the child's body was discovered, however, her story changed. ", PREVIOUS: Girlfriend testifies she does not believe Ritchie killed 9-year-old. She was allowed to remain on the panel. They spent the past two days in the penalty phase of the trial listening to witnesses and hearing arguments from the By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. He said she used ecstasy, and that she said it could feel like Satan was manipulating her while she was on it. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Roebuck, the appellants attorney, insisted that there was nothing spontaneous in Harmons argument. By Fallon Silcox Hillsborough County. In September 2019, Ritchie was found guilty of first-degree murder, sexual battery and aggravated child abuse. By The court rejected a series of arguments raised by Granville Ritchie, who was convicted in the 2014 murder of the girl, identified in the court opinion by the initials F.W., Felecia Williams. Granville Ritchie, 41, was sentenced to death in September 2020 for the 2014 killing of nine-year-old Felecia Williams, who was raped, strangled to death, stuffed into a suitcase and thrown. "That would indicate to me that a force was applied across the upper chest. That is true. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. During his sentencing hearing last year, Felecias father surprised the courtroom by telling the murderer of his daughter that he forgave him. Eboni Wiley, in May 2014, prosecutors said. 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. TAMPA, Fla. A year after his trial, Granville Ritchie has been sentenced to death for the 2014 murder of 9-year-old Felecia Williams. 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. En 1946 Christian Dior s'installe au 30, avenue Montaigne [11], l'ouverture de la boutique [12] a lieu en dcembre. A jury found Granville Ritchie guilty of murder and rape Wednesday afternoon in the 2014 killing of 9-year-old Felecia Williams. 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. A doctor who took the stand Tuesday disagreed with the medical examiner's findings on the cause of death. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. She will have her own trial next month, The Associated Press reported. Later that night, a 911 call was made on Ritchies phone that only lasted a few seconds. 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. She explained that she recently suffered a personal loss. Apparent signs of sexual abuse on the victims body might have happened while she was floating in the water, exposed to the elements. Eboni Wiley says she had just started dating Ritchie in 2014 when the two went to pick up her. I wish you all of the best.. My heart breaks for you.". TAMPA, Fla. Granville Ritchie was found guilty of sexually battering and murdering 9-year-old Felicia Williams in May of 2014. On Tuesday, a Hillsborough County jury found. Ritchie faces the death penalty. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. When she returned Ritchie told her he let Sugarplum go to the CVS to get candy. Mister. 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.. 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Ritchies attorney could not be reached for comment. The same jury will decide whether Ritchie will receive the death penalty as part of his sentencing. "The child victim suffered a horrendous, physically painful, psychologically torturous death," Sisco said in court on Friday. Instead, it becomes a first step of a never-ending nightmare you never wake from. 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. The girls body was found washed up on a shoreline a day after she had been left alone with Ritchie. I know you're a woman of deep faith. Initially, Wiley told police that Felecia ran away, the Associated Press reported. You can see proceedings in the player above. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. I know youre a woman of deep faith. [. (FOX 13 News). He pointed as Wiley as a possible perpetrator of the murder. During jury selection two weeks ago, the woman who wept told the court she works as a kindergarten teachers aid. 'May God have mercy on your soul.' The penalty phase of the trial started Thursday. "May God have mercy on your soul, Mr. Wiley is charged in an ongoing case with allegedly providing false information to law enforcement. Jurors in Tampa murder trial confront ultimate question: Could they impose the death penalty? The seven justices of the state Supreme Court did not reach a decision in Ritchies case this week. 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. , updated Ritchie motioned for Wiley, who was babysitting Felecia, to leave the house to buy marijuana. 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. 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. First, I am in awe of your bravery and your tireless advocacy for your daughter. According to the Tamp Bay Times, prosecutors said that Ritchie raped and strangled the young girl before stuffing her body into a suitcase. During Friday's hearing, Felecia's mother addressed the court, calling for Ritchie's death. In sum, we cannot say that the improper arguments precluded Ritchies jury from making a reasoned assessment based on the evidence so as to amount to a denial of due process, said the opinion shared by Chief Justice Charles Canady and Justices Alan Lawson, Carlos Muniz, John Couriel and Jamie Grosshans. According to court documents Granville Ritchie would abduct, sexually assault and murder Felecia Williams. #GranvilleRitchie GUILTY on all counts 1st degree murder, Rape & Sexual Battery and Aggravated Child Abuse. This is as tough as it gets, Sisco said. I do still see the humanity in you,Judge Sisco said after delivering the death sentence. On Tuesday, a Hillsborough County jury found Granville Ritchie guilty of killing 9-year-old Felecia Williams on May 16, 2014. "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. During the trial, Ritchies girlfriend testified that Ritchie asked to use her car. Instead, it becomes a first step of a neverending nightmare you never wake from. Deshawn Thomas Executes Homeless Man In St Louis, Sheborah Thomas Gets 40 Years For Killing 2 Kids, NFL Zac Stacy Gets 6 Months For Brutal Assault, Brendan Depa Charged For Knocking Out Teachers Aide, Jack Colton Charged In Sexual Assault Of 12 Yr Old, Taylor Frankie Paul Charged With Domestic Violence, Steven Pfeil Teen Killer Murders 2 In Illinois, Antonio Barbeau and Nathan Paape Teen Killers, Dylan Schumaker Teen Killer Murders 23 Month Boy, Lacy Aaron Schmidt Teen Killer Murders Ex Girlfriend, Amber Wright Teen Killer Seath Jackson Murder, James Parker And Robert Tulloch Teen Killers, Bobby Gonzales Teen Killer Murders Girlfriends Mother. TAMPA, Fla. A jury found Granville Ritchie guilty of murder and rape Wednesday afternoon in the 2014 killing of 9-year . 'Mr. I do still see the humanity in you,"Judge Sisco said after delivering the death sentence. 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. 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. Two other jurors turned to console her. The child's mother and a judge had some parting words. That pain wouldve been greater for a little girl.'. On the night of her murder, Felecia was left alone with Ritchie at his Temple Terrace apartment by a woman who was supposed to be watching her. According to the Tamp Bay Times, prosecutors said Ritchie raped and strangled the young woman before putting her body in a suitcase. To her family, Felecia was known as Sugar Plum. She loved animals and her family. Authorities say the victim was in the care ofEboni Wiley, a family friend. Since Felecias death, Demerson said, she has been unable to return to work. Testimony is expected to continue Friday. When Wiley returned almost an hour later, Ritchie claimed that he gave Felecia money for her to go buy candy at a nearby CVS store and that she had not returned. {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}Your submission failed. Rick Buckwalter, the Florida appeals attorney, admitted it was a close call, but argued that Harmon did not cross the line. 17:14 EST 05 Nov 2021. Harmon is a veteran prosecutor who has been prosecuting homicides for 20 years, he told the court. Granville Ritchie was sentenced to death by the State of Florida for the sexual assault and murder of a nine year old girl. By 4:30 p.m., they returned the guilty verdict. And the fact that you were able to sit through this trial with the horrific facts. 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. 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