Eboni Wiley, in May 2014, prosecutors said. 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. In September 2019, all 12 jurors agreed Ritchie, who grew up in Jamaica,should face the death penalty. Required fields are marked *. Prosecutors believe it was Felecia calling for help. That argument is considered legally incorrect because jurors are expected to consider a verdict objectively based on evidence alone, rather than their personal feelings. He pointed as Wiley as a possible perpetrator of the murder. Later that night, Ritchie drove to the Courtney Campbell Causeway, where he dumped Felecias body into the bay. You're a better, stronger woman than I am. And the fact that you were able to sit through this trial with the horrific facts. Granville Ritchie was sentenced to death by the State of Florida for the sexual assault and murder of a nine year old girl. Im not like everyone else, bro. Ritchie is accused in the 2014 murder of 9-year-old Felecia Williams. 3 Granville Ritchie, 41, was sentenced to death on Friday for killing and raping a nine-year-old girl Credit: Hillsborough County Jai 3 Nine-year-old Felecia Williams was killed in May 2014 Credit: Facebook 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. Learn More{{/message}}, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}It appears your submission was successful. Granville Ritchie, 40, is charged with first-degree murder, rape and sexual battery, and aggravated child abuse. He said she used ecstasy, and that she said it could feel like Satan was manipulating her while she was on it. I do still see the humanity in you,Judge Sisco said after delivering the death sentence. Each parent has that sick feeling of dread that something happened to their child. 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. All I know is he needs to be like her.. Ritchie may have suffered brain damage, Eisenstein said. UPDATED 4:30 PM ET Sep. 25, 2019. I think there is a good chance there was somebody pressing the arm down or kneeling on the patient for a period of time. 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. Ritchie faces the death penalty. 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. Ritchie then s*xually assaulted and strangled the girl while Wiley was away, prosecutors said during his trial. Initially, Wiley told police that Felecia ran away, the Associated Press reported. Android Users,Click Here To Download The Free Press AppAnd Never Miss A Story. A unanimous 12-0 decision is required to impose the death penalty. She met Ritchie in May of that year and the two began dating. 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. By 4:30 p.m., they returned the guilty verdict. 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. 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. A PEDO was given the death penalty for raping and strangling a nine-year-old girl and hiding her body in suitcase. During jury selection two weeks ago, the woman who wept told the court she works as a kindergarten teachers aid. Felicia Demerson, the child's mother, said in a statement she's "waited 2,310 days for this day to come," WFTS reported. 17:14 EST 05 Nov 2021. The jury recommended the death penalty. My heart breaks for you. They spent the past two days in the penalty phase of the trial listening to witnesses and hearing arguments from the "For most parents, that moment passes but for a few unfortunate ones, it doesn't. Granville Ritchie, 41, was convicted of killing and raping Felecia Williams in Florida in May 2014. Buckwalter claimed that the prosecutor was simply describing Ritchies actions to jurors and made a brusque comment. Granville Ritchie was found guilty of killing Williams in Sept. 2019. . Some days, I dont know whether Im coming or going, she said. "May God have mercy on your soul, Mr. She left 9-yr-old Sugarplum with Ritchie. 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Or to keep it anonymous, click here. That pain would have been greater for a girl. Ritchie did poorly in school, repeating 9th grade before dropping out in 10th, jurors were told. Authorities said she originally lied to them during the investigation into Williams disappearance. When she returned Ritchie told her he let Sugarplum go to the CVS to get candy. That pain wouldve been greater for a little girl.'. . 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. Still, she said, she can put her feelings aside and continue hearing the case. "I am here to bury this Jamaican today," she said during the hearing. She will have her own trial next month, The Associated Press reported. By First, I am in awe of your bravery and your tireless advocacy for your daughter. Injuries to her mouth, he said, indicated that a hand may have been placed over it, keeping her from crying out. "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. Some days I dont know if Im coming or going.. My heart breaks for you.". For him to feel what she felt. At the time, they said she was left alone with Ritchie after the woman who was babysitting her left to purchase drugs. During closings, defense lawyer Bjorn Brunvandpointed out expert testimony that apparently showed there was no evidence of sexual battery. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. They asked for tissues then said they needed a break. Who is Granville Ritchie? During his sentencing hearing last year, Felecias father surprised the courtroom by telling the murderer of his daughter that he forgave him. 10:20 EST 05 Nov 2021 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. Wiley said during a trial that Ritchie said he gave Felecia money to buy candy from a store. I said do what, you dont even know anybody around here, Kellisa Kelley said, according to BayNews9. On Wednesday, the 12-member jury found the 40-year-old Ritchie guilty in the girls 2014 rape and murder. To her family, Felecia was known as Sugar Plum. She loved animals and her family. 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. The girls body was found washed up on a shoreline a day after she had been left alone with Ritchie. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. Even though the server responded OK, it is possible the submission was not processed. After the child's body was discovered, however, her story changed. The jury voted unanimously to recommend a death sentence for the murder, and the trial court sentenced Ritchie to death. He pegged Ritchies IQ at 78, well below average. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. I do still see the humanity in you,"Judge Sisco said after delivering the death sentence. Public housing tenants ask if old maps are accurate. 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Wiley was witness in Ritchie's trial, and was charged with lying during a missing person investigation. 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. I know youre a woman of deep faith. You can see proceedings in the player above. Authorities say the victim was in the care ofEboni Wiley, a family friend. ", PREVIOUS: Girlfriend testifies she does not believe Ritchie killed 9-year-old. TAMPA, Fla. -- A key witness testified Monday in the Granville Ritchie murder trial. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. She explained that she recently suffered a personal loss. #GranvilleRitchie GUILTY on all counts 1st degree murder, Rape & Sexual Battery and Aggravated Child Abuse. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Ritchie has difficulty completing complicated tasks, the result of head trauma he suffered during incidents including car accidents, Eisenstein said. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. 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. First, I am in awe of your bravery and your tireless advocacy for your daughter. After hearing a number of witness impact statements, Judge Michelle Sisco sentenced Granville Ritchie to death for killing Felecia Williams in 2014. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? I know that you know that you and Felecia will have a joyous reunion. Ritchie motioned for Wiley, who was babysitting Felecia, to leave the house to buy marijuana. 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. Justice Jorge Labarga argued that Ritchie should receive a new sentencing hearing. Letsgetstarted. "For him to feel what my daughter felt over and over again. Ritchie was found guilty in 2019 of first-degree murder, sexual battery and aggravated child abuse in connection with Felecia's death. I am here to bury this Jamaican today, she said during the hearing. Youll get a remembrance of Tampa Bay residents weve lost, including heartwarming and amusing details about their lives, every Tuesday. "The only thing I regret today is I cannot ask for his fatethat would be for him to be hung. 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. "That would indicate to me that a force was applied across the upper chest. Last y. Rick Buckwalter, the appellate attorney for Florida, conceded that it was 'a close call,' but argued that Harmon did not cross the line. 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. No one spoke on behalf of Ritchie during Friday's testimony. The server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). Wiley was a witness at Ritchies trial and was accused of lying during the missing person investigation. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Granville Ritchie, 41, was convicted of first-degree murder, sexual battery and aggravated child abuse in September 2019. . 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. A doctor who took the stand Tuesday disagreed with the medical examiner's findings on the cause of death. 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. Historique L'entreprise. Im on seven different types of medication trying to cope with this new normal called life. Ritchie found guilty in death of Felecia Williams, 9. (FOX 13 News). ", Seven passengers rushed to hospital after 'severe turbulence' on flight, Gabby Petito's family claim cop knew Laundrie was threat in lawsuit update, Jury inspect eerie Murdaugh murder scene where mom & son were executed, US Navy faces being totally outgunned by China in just seven years, says expert, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Granville Ritchie, 41, was sentenced to death on Friday for killing and raping a nine-year-old girl, Nine-year-old Felecia Williams was killed in May 2014, Six years later, Ritchie was sentenced to death on Friday. Convicted child killer, rapist wants off death row. During Ritchies trial, the court heard from Felecias mother. A Florida man is on trial in the alleged murder of 9-year-old Felecia Nicole Williams . Types of medication trying to cope with this new normal called life Jamaican today, Judge. She met Ritchie in May 2014, prosecutors said during the investigation Williams... 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Would be for him to feel what My daughter felt over and over again and hearing! To preserve memory of daughter who was slain at age 9, to. Of witness impact statements, Judge Sisco said after delivering the death penalty for raping strangling! 'Re a better, stronger woman than I am in awe of your bravery and your tireless advocacy your... See the humanity in you, Judge Sisco said after delivering the death.. A store eboni Wiley, who was babysitting her left to purchase drugs the trial court sentenced Ritchie to.... # GranvilleRitchie guilty on all counts 1st degree murder, sexual battery, aggravated... That would indicate to me that a force was applied across the upper chest after the woman who slain! 9-Yr-Old Sugarplum with Ritchie purchase drugs lawyer Bjorn Brunvandpointed out expert testimony that apparently showed there was no of...
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