When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. '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. To her family, Felecia was known as Sugar Plum. She loved animals and her family. First, I am in awe of your bravery and your tireless advocacy for your daughter. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. Wiley said during a trial that Ritchie said he gave Felecia money to buy candy from a store. Eboni Wiley says she had just started dating Ritchie in 2014 when the two went to pick up her. 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. Ritchie has difficulty completing complicated tasks, the result of head trauma he suffered during incidents including car accidents, Eisenstein said. 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.. Wiley initially told investigators that Felecia had run away while she and Ritchie had sex in a bedroom, but she later admitted she lied. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. Ritchie then s*xually assaulted and strangled the girl while Wiley was away, prosecutors said during his trial. James Upshaw Downs, a forensic pathologist, talked about the pain the girl would have felt as she was being beaten, raped and strangled. Support journalism byclicking here to ourGiveSendGoor sign up for ourfree newsletter by clicking here. 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. That argument is considered legally incorrect because jurors are expected to consider a verdict objectively based on evidence alone, rather than their personal feelings. At the time, they said she was left alone with Ritchie after the woman who was babysitting her left to purchase drugs. 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. Granville Ritchie was sentenced to death by the State of Florida for the sexual assault and murder of a nine year old girl. More than six years after the child's death, Ritchie was sentenced with the death penalty on Friday, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Youll get a remembrance of Tampa Bay residents weve lost, including heartwarming and amusing details about their lives, every Tuesday. On the day of the murder, Felecia left home with Wiley and went to Ritchies mothers apartment in the Doral Oaks apartment complex. All I know is he needs to be like her.. A key part of the Supreme Court opinion involved whether Ritchie should receive a new sentencing hearing because of improper comments made by a prosecutor during the case. 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. 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. Granville Ritchie was sentenced to. Published: 4:25 PM EDT September 25, 2019 Updated: 8:35 PM EDT September 25, 2019 Almost two weeks after his trial began, Granville Ritchie has been found guilty of the sexual battery and. That argument is considered legally improper because jurors are expected to weigh a verdict objectively based on evidence alone, instead of their personal feelings. 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. I ain't got no ill will against you,' said Jerome Williams, WREG reports. I am here to bury this Jamaican today, she said during the hearing. I feel like death is appropriate. The seven justices of the state Supreme Court did not reach a decision in Ritchie's case this week. The girl's body was found washed up on a shoreline a day after she had been left alone with Ritchie. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. She was allowed to remain on the panel. A Florida man is on trial in the alleged murder of 9-year-old Felecia Nicole Williams . "The only thing I regret today is I cannot ask for his fatethat would be for him to be hung. Wiley has been charged with lying during a missing person investigation. 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. Closing arguments wrapped up Wednesday and the jury began deliberating. Some days, I dont know whether Im coming or going, she said. When she returned Ritchie told her he let Sugarplum go to the CVS to get candy. A jury found Granville Ritchie guilty of murder and rape Wednesday afternoon in the 2014 killing of 9-year-old Felecia Williams. 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.. "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. 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. The penalty phase of the trial started Thursday. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Closing arguments wrapped up Wednesday and the jury began deliberating. "May God have mercy on your soul, Mr. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Girlfriend testifies she does not believe Ritchie killed 9-year-old, 'Absolute mayhem': Suspect dead after shootout in Poinciana, Polk County sheriff says, Lakeland PD searching for driver of silver car who hit, killed woman Saturday, Accused drunk driver runs over boyfriend, police say, Train carrying propane derails in Manatee County, but no leaks detected: officials, I didnt realize: Woman mistakenly eats heart-shaped chip that could have won her 100K, FDA report into listeria outbreak reveals Big Olaf employees didnt have sink to wash hands, proper training, Watch again: NASA's SpaceX Crew-6 lifts off from Florida, now bound for space station, Spring Break season expected to bring record number of travelers to TPA, Pasco County school district considering cell phone ban, FBI: Explosive found in bag at Pennsylvania airport, man arrested. At the time, they said she was left alone with Ritchie after the woman who was babysitting her left to purchase drugs. Harmon is a veteran prosecutor who has been prosecuting homicides for 20 years, he told the court. That is true. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. Open in Our App 'May God have mercy on your soul.'. Public housing tenants ask if old maps are accurate. Rick Buckwalter, the appellate attorney for Florida, conceded that it was 'a close call,' but argued that Harmon did not cross the line. She takes medication for depression. Wiley was witness in Ritchie's trial, and was charged with lying during a missing person investigation. Instead, it becomes a first step of a neverending nightmare you never wake from. Granville Ritchie, 40, is charged with first-degree murder, rape and sexual battery, and aggravated child abuse. Jurors in Tampa murder trial confront ultimate question: Could they impose the death penalty? 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. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Have a tip or story idea? After the child's body was discovered, however, her story changed. Ritchie motioned for Wiley, who was babysitting Felecia, to leave the house to buy marijuana. During a Florida Supreme Court hearing Thursday, Judge Jamie Grosshans closely examined Harmons comments and noted that she leaned toward the defense position. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Im on seven different types of medication trying to cope with this new normal called life. After she completed her testimony, Judge Sisco said she had struggled with how to convey her thoughts toward Demerson, but told her the following: Ive thought long and hard about what I was going to say to you. Fridays sentencingincluded testimony from Felecia Demerson, the 9-year-olds mother. She explained that she recently suffered a personal loss. My heart breaks for you.". How did Vladimir Putin lose half of Russia's elite paratroopers? #GranvilleRitchie Wiley left to get marjuana at the request of Ritchie. I said do what, you dont even know anybody around here, Kellisa Kelley said, according to BayNews9. 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. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. TAMPA, Fla. A year after his trial, Granville Ritchie has been sentenced to death for the 2014 murder of 9-year-old Felecia Williams. Wiley was a witness at Ritchies trial and was accused of lying during the missing person investigation. If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. On Friday morning, Hillsborough Circuit Judge Michelle Sisco sentenced Granville Ritchie to death for the May 16, 2014, murder of 9-year-old Felecia Williams, report Fox13, WWSB and the Tampa Bay Times. During jury selection two weeks ago, the woman who wept told the court she works as a kindergarten teachers aid. 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. . Authorities said she originally lied to them during the investigation into Williams disappearance. Ritchie.". 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. TAMPA, Fla. - 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. This was deliberate. Florida man Granville Ritchie, 40, was found guilty of raping and . 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. Wiley initially told investigators that Felecia had run away while she and Ritchie had s*x in a bedroom, but later admitted that she lied. The jury voted unanimously to recommend a death sentence for the murder, and the trial court sentenced Ritchie to death. Ritchie, now 43, is an inmate at Union Correctional Institution, according to the Florida Department of Corrections 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. She left 9-yr-old Sugarplum with Ritchie. By He said she used ecstasy, and that she said it could feel like Satan was manipulating her while she was on it. 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. TAMPA Jurors considering whether to sentence Granville Ritchie to death for the murder of 9-year-old Felecia Williams stopped their work Thursday morning when one of them began sobbing at testimony from the little girls mother. TAMPA, Fla. -- A key witness testified Monday in the Granville Ritchie murder trial. In September 2019, all 12 jurors agreed Ritchie, who grew up in Jamaica,should face the death penalty. Buckwalter claimed that the prosecutor was simply describing Ritchies actions to jurors and made a brusque comment. You have entered an incorrect email address! Granville Ritchie would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death. Instead, it becomes a first step of a never-ending nightmare you never wake from. I do still see the humanity in you,Judge Sisco said after delivering the death sentence. 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 off an overpass. He pointed as Wiley as a possible perpetrator of the murder. Prosecutors challenged that, stilling claiming Williams was strangled. Follow Us OnFacebook HereOrTwitter Here. I know you're a woman of deep faith. Sisco addressed the grieving mother, telling her, "I've thought long and hard about what I was going to say to you. 2023 FOX Television Stations. 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. Required fields are marked *. 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. When her mother had foot surgery in 2013, the girl spent the summer cooking for her and nursing her back to health, Demerson said. "I am here to bury this Jamaican today," she said during the hearing. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Harmon is a veteran prosecutor who has been prosecuting homicides for 20 years,' she told the court. Friday's sentencingincluded testimony from Felecia Demerson, the 9-year-old's mother. 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. Ritchie found guilty in death of Felecia Williams, 9. Have a tip we should know? He pegged Ritchies IQ at 78, well below average. If convicted, he faces a possible death sentence. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. I know that you know that you and Felecia will have a joyous reunion. All rights reserved. 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. Ritchie is accused in the 2014 murder of 9-year-old Felecia Williams. Mister. During the trial, Ritchies girlfriend testified that Ritchie asked to use her car. #GranvilleRitchie GUILTY on all counts 1st degree murder, Rape & Sexual Battery and Aggravated Child Abuse. "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. 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