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. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Wiley was a witness at Ritchies trial and was accused of lying during the missing person investigation. You can see proceedings in the player above. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. By Ritchies conviction comes five years after he raped and killed Felecia before stuffing her body in a suitcase and dropping it off of the Courtney Campbell Causeway bridge, according to the Tampa Bay Times, WTSP and Fox13. ", Felecia Demerson holds up an image of her daughter, Felecia Williams, during the sentencing hearing for her killer. Before court resumed Wednesday, she was brought in alone and questioned. How did Vladimir Putin lose half of Russia's elite paratroopers? When her mother had foot surgery in 2013, the girl spent the summer cooking for her and nursing her back to health, Demerson said. 'Im trying to figure out how that is not a Golden Rule violation,' Grosshans said, referring to the prosecutor's speech. During closings, defense lawyer Bjorn Brunvandpointed out expert testimony that apparently showed there was no evidence of sexual battery. 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. "For him to feel what my daughter felt over and over again. Later that night, Ritchie drove to the Courtney Campbell Causeway where he dumped Felecia's body into the bay. Ritchies defense plans to raise a number of mitigating factors to argue for a life sentence, instead. The sentencing phase will begin when court resumes Thursday morning. And the fact that you were able to sit through this trial with the horrific facts. I have no ill will against you, Jerome Williams said, reports WREG. That argument is considered legally incorrect because jurors are expected to consider a verdict objectively based on evidence alone, rather than their personal feelings. A unanimous 12-0 decision is required. 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. 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. 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. Who is Granville Ritchie? A Florida man has been sentenced to death for the 2014 rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl left in his care. 'Mr. The jury has to be unanimous on the death sentence. Roebuck, the appellants attorney, insisted that there was nothing spontaneous in Harmons argument. I wish you all of the best.". But the judge told them to speak up if what they hear becomes overwhelming. Ritchie was convicted in 2019 of first degree murder, s*xual assault and aggravated child abuse in connection with Felecias death. Ritchie has difficulty completing complicated tasks, the result of head trauma he suffered during incidents including car accidents, Eisenstein said. She left 9-yr-old Sugarplum with Ritchie. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Even though the server responded OK, it is possible the submission was not processed. 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 Tuesday, a Hillsborough County jury found. [. 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. Follow Us OnFacebook HereOrTwitter Here. Later that night, Ritchie drove to the Courtney Campbell Causeway, where he dumped Felecias body into the bay. . Buckwalter claimed that the prosecutor was merely describing for the jurors Ritchie's actions and made an offhand remark. Each parent has that sick feeling of dread that something happened to their child. TAMPA, Fla. A jury found Granville Ritchie guilty of murder and rape Wednesday afternoon in the 2014 killing of 9-year . 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Felecias death has affected my life, Felecia Demerson said on the stand, according to BayNews9. All I know is he needs to be like her. Closing arguments wrapped up Wednesday and the jury began deliberating. For most parents, that moment passes but for a few unfortunate ones, it doesnt. 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. The jury voted unanimously to recommend a death sentence for the murder, and the trial court sentenced Ritchie to death. 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Wiley went to buy marijuana and Ritchie then strangled and assaulted the nine-year-old, prosecutors claimed. Your email address will not be published. Hyman Eisenstein, a psychologist who spent 32 hours examining Ritchie in jail, testified for the defense. Open in Our App 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. A unanimous 12-0 decision is required to impose the death penalty. TAMPA, Fla. Granville Ritchie was found guilty of sexually battering and murdering 9-year-old Felicia Williams in May of 2014. 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. Later that night, a 911 call was made on Ritchies phone that only lasted a few seconds. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. And the fact that you were able to sit through this trial with the horrific facts. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Court is being held in Hillsborough County. Felecia Demerson holds up an image of her daughter, Felecia Williams, during the sentencing hearing for her killer. I ain't got no ill will against you,' said Jerome Williams, WREG reports. 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. Android Users,Click Here To Download The Free Press AppAnd Never Miss A Story. But the courts majority, while acknowledging improper comments, said Ritchie should not receive a new hearing. 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. 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. Closing arguments wrapped up Wednesday and the jury began deliberating. The penalty phase of the trial started Thursday. By Fallon Silcox Hillsborough County. Letsgetstarted. Wiley and Ritchie picked her up on May 16, 2014. 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. ", PREVIOUS: Girlfriend testifies she does not believe Ritchie killed 9-year-old. A jury found Granville Ritchie guilty of murder and rape Wednesday afternoon in the 2014 killing of 9-year-old Felecia Williams. Injuries to her mouth, he said, indicated that a hand may have been placed over it, keeping her from crying out. During the trial, Ritchies girlfriend testified that Ritchie asked to use her car. Granville Ritchie, 40, is charged with first-degree murder, rape and sexual battery, and aggravated child abuse. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. "The only thing I regret today is I cannot ask for his fatethat would be for him to be hung. I feel like death is appropriate. I know you're a woman of deep faith. All rights reserved. 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. Authorities say the victim was in the care ofEboni Wiley, a family friend. According to the Tamp Bay Times, prosecutors said Ritchie raped and strangled the young woman before putting her body in a suitcase. I know that you know that you and Felecia will have a joyous reunion. More than six years after the child's death, Ritchie was sentenced with the death penalty on Friday, the Tampa Bay Times reported. That is true. Initially, Wiley told police that Felecia ran away, the Associated Press reported. 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. 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. Wiley was witness in Ritchie's trial, and was charged with lying during a missing person investigation. My heart breaks for you. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. 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. When she returned Ritchie told her he let Sugarplum go to the CVS to get candy. According to court documents Granville Ritchie would abduct, sexually assault and murder Felecia Williams. RELATED STORY: Granville Ritchie guilty of raping, killing 9-year-old Felecia Williams. Some days, I dont know whether Im coming or going, she said. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Prosecutors challenged that, stilling claiming Williams was strangled. pic.twitter.com/ICiF7E3rSA. Granville Ritchie (pictured in mugshot) killed Felecia Williams on May 16, 2014 Wiley was a neighbor and friend to Felecia's family. For him to feel what she felt. Each parent has that sick feeling of dread that something happened to their child. PREVIOUS:Granville Ritchie found guilty of murder in 2014 killing of 9-year-old Felecia Williams. Two other jurors turned to console her. 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. The juror, a woman, wept as Felecia Demerson read a statement from the witness stand about her daughter and the devastating effects of her death. Ritchie's lawyer had argued against a death penalty, claiming factors like an abusive childhood in Kingston, Jamaica, the Tampa Bay Times reported. 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. STATE OF FLORIDA V. GRANVILLE RITCHIE WWW.CQINVESTIGATIONS.COM The body of Felecia Williams was found off the Courtney Campbell Causeway five . This was deliberate.'. 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 duo were watching the girl one day, and Ritchie took Felecia to his mother's apartment, the Associated Press reported. If convicted, he faces a possible death sentence. Hernandez expressed concern about the panels ability to make a fair decision on the death penalty. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. A Florida man has been sentenced to death for the 2014 rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl left in his care . Wiley and Ritchie picked her up on May 16, 2014. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. In September 2019, Ritchie was found guilty of first-degree murder, sexual battery and aggravated child abuse. Granville Ritchie would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death. Have a tip we should know? (Florida child s*x killer who tortured, raped and murdered girl, 9, is appealing his death ) Wiki, Bio, Age,Death,Family,Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & Quick Facts, Read Also: Who was Mak Parhar?Flat Earther and COVID-19 denier Mak Parhar found dead, Congress Is Investigating McKinsey Over Its Role in the Opioid Crisis, Alyssa Milano: Giving birth to my first child reminded me of being sexually assaulted. Ritchies attorney could not be reached for comment. In October 2020, she pleaded guilty to lying to the police and was later sentenced to 75 days in jail and five years of probation. Texas Special Education Teacher Admits Sexually Assaulting Student in Classroom Closet, West Virginia Teenager Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder of 4 Family Members, Man Who Murdered Girlfriend, Her 2 Children Captured on Video Casually Saying, 'I Murdered 4 People', Md. It was the same jury who on Wednesday convicted him of killing the child in 2014. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I am here to bury this Jamaican today, she said during the hearing. 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. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. As the states case continued, the jury was presented with photos showing Felecias injuries as they were during the first phase of the trial. Jurors had a lot of evidence to review in the trial, which has . She will have her own trial next month, The Associated Press reported. On Friday morning, Hillsborough Circuit Judge Michelle Sisco sentenced Granville. In defending the death penalty, Tampa prosecutor Scott Harmon told the jury, in part: Can you imagine the fear of knowing that her life is ending and she is in pain all over her body? Granville Ritchie was sentenced to. I know youre a woman of deep faith. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. She explained that she recently suffered a personal loss. That pain would have been greater for a girl. Ritchie motioned for Wiley, who was babysitting Felecia, to leave the house to buy marijuana. 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