This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Court is being held in Hillsborough County. Felicia Demerson, the child's mother, said in a statement she's "waited 2,310 days for this day to come," WFTS reported. ", 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. Granville Ritchie found guilty of murder in 2014 killing of 9-year-old Felecia Williams, '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. I wish you all of the best.". TAMPA, Fla. -- A key witness testified Monday in the Granville Ritchie murder trial. Eboni Wiley, in May 2014, prosecutors said. Rick Buckwalter, the appellate attorney for Florida, conceded that it was 'a close call,' but argued that Harmon did not cross the line. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. I just cant believe he did that to her, Felecias cousin, Rashida Johnson, told WTSP shortly after her death. 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. I do still see the humanity in you,"Judge Sisco said after delivering the death sentence. 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. 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. Even though the server responded OK, it is possible the submission was not processed. The penalty phase of the trial started Thursday. 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. 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. The same jury will decide whether Ritchie will receive the death penalty as part of his sentencing. "Important to be was the fact that there was a pattern, where it wasn't a typical neck strangulation, where you got a lot of injury to all of the muscles up here in the neck," explained Dr. William Anderson, a pathologist. She takes medication for depression. You're a better stronger woman than I am. Roebuck, the appellants attorney, insisted that there was nothing spontaneous in Harmons argument. "That would indicate to me that a force was applied across the upper chest. Learn More{{/message}}. Hyman Eisenstein, a psychologist who spent 32 hours examining Ritchie in jail, testified for the defense. A unanimous 12-0 decision is required. Ritchie then s*xually assaulted and strangled the girl while Wiley was away, prosecutors said during his trial. Injuries to her mouth, he said, indicated that a hand may have been placed over it, keeping her from crying out. I wish you all of the best.. 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. During the trial, Ritchies girlfriend testified that Ritchie asked to use her car. Wiley went to buy marijuana and Ritchie then strangled and assaulted the nine-year-old, prosecutors claimed. 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. The penalty phase of the trial started Thursday. 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. 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 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. {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}Your submission failed. This is as tough as it gets, Sisco said. ", Felecia Demerson holds up an image of her daughter, Felecia Williams, during the sentencing hearing for her killer. Wiley said during a trial that Ritchie said he gave Felecia money to buy candy from a store. 10:20 EST 05 Nov 2021 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. "I am here to bury this Jamaican today," she said during the hearing. The seven justices of the state Supreme Court did not reach a decision in Ritchie's case this week. The jury recommended the death penalty. ''I'm not like everybody else, bro. I feel like death is appropriate. He pointed as Wiley as a possible perpetrator of the murder. 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. Ritchie motioned for Wiley, who was babysitting Felecia, to leave the house to buy marijuana. TAMPA, Fla The trial for Granville Ritchie, the man accused of raping and murdering a 9-year-old Tampa girl in May of 2014, began today. The seven justices of the state Supreme Court did not reach a decision in Ritchies case this week. Youll get a remembrance of Tampa Bay residents weve lost, including heartwarming and amusing details about their lives, every Tuesday. By Ritchies attorney could not be reached for comment. Granville Ritchie would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death Florida Death Row Inmate List When her mother had foot surgery in 2013, the girl spent the summer cooking for her and nursing her back to health, Demerson said. Ritchie found guilty in death of Felecia Williams, 9. The only thing I regret today is I cannot ask for his fatethat would be for him to be hung. Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? 'He wrote out this argument, he gave it to colleagues, I guarantee you, and tested it. Granville Ritchie was sentenced to death by the State of Florida for the sexual assault and murder of a nine year old girl. 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. 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. My heart breaks for you. 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. During his sentencing hearing last year, Felecia's father stunned the courtroom by telling his daughter's killer that he forgave him. 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. How far did Zion Cemetery stretch? After the child's body was discovered, however, her story changed. Justice Jorge Labarga argued that Ritchie should receive a new sentencing hearing. Jurors in Tampa murder trial confront ultimate question: Could they impose the death penalty? 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Im trying to figure out how thats not a violation of the Golden Rule, she said Grosshans, referring to the prosecutors speech. Prosecutors said Ritchie had been dating Felecia's neighbor, Eboni Wiley, in May 2014. Young Nev. Man Found Guilty of Raping, Murdering Teen Family Friend: 'She Called Him Her Big Brother', Jury Selection Begins at Sentencing Trial for Parkland Mass Shooter, Juror Who Helped Convict Scott Peterson Is Accused of Hiding Bias Against Him, Paving Killer's Path to Retrial, Fla. Man Gets Death Sentence for Murdering 9-Year-Old Girl Left in His Care by Babysitter, N.Y. 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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. , updated 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. First, I am in awe of your bravery and your tireless advocacy for your daughter. He said she used ecstasy, and that she said it could feel like Satan was manipulating her while she was on it. That pain would have been greater for a girl. I do still see the humanity in you,Judge Sisco said after delivering the death sentence. Wiley is charged in an ongoing case with allegedly providing false information to law enforcement. Have a tip we should know? After four hours of deliberation, the jury found Ritchie guilty of first-degree murder, sexual battery and aggravated child abuse. 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. Wiley was a witness at Ritchies trial and was accused of lying during the missing person investigation. 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. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. This is his direct appeal. . This was deliberate. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. RELATED STORY: Granville Ritchie guilty of raping, killing 9-year-old Felecia Williams. 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. Fridays sentencingincluded testimony from Felecia Demerson, the 9-year-olds mother. TAMPA, Fla. Granville Ritchie was found guilty of sexually battering and murdering 9-year-old Felicia Williams in May of 2014. Roebuck, the appellant's attorney, insisted that there was nothing spontaneous about Harmon's argument. 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. I know youre a woman of deep faith. Demersons testimony brought back feelings of grief, she said. Open in Our App [emailprotected]. pic.twitter.com/ICiF7E3rSA. 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. 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. Prosecutors believe it was Felecia calling for help. On Wednesday, the 12-member jury found the 40-year-old Ritchie guilty in the girl's 2014 rape and murder. 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. 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. UPDATED 4:30 PM ET Sep. 25, 2019. During Friday's hearing, Felecia's mother addressed the court, calling for Ritchie's death. James Upshaw Downs, a forensic pathologist, talked about the pain the girl would have felt as she was being beaten, raped and strangled. #GranvilleRitchie Wiley left to get marjuana at the request of Ritchie. The submission was not processed hours of deliberation, the appellant 's attorney, insisted that there was nothing in! Associated Press reported was the same jury who on Wednesday convicted him of killing the child body... Could feel like Satan was manipulating her while she was on it ``, 's. Said during his trial Felecias cousin, Rashida Johnson, told WTSP shortly after her death to the... In 2014 Granville Ritchie guilty of raping, killing 9-year-old Felecia Williams girlfriend testified that Ritchie receive! Appellants attorney, insisted that there was nothing spontaneous in Harmons argument mouth, said. 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