But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. On Wednesday, the 12-member jury found the 40-year-old Ritchie guilty in the girls 2014 rape and murder. Open in Our App She quoted a Bible verse, Matthew 18:6. #GranvilleRitchie GUILTY on all counts 1st degree murder, Rape & Sexual Battery and Aggravated Child Abuse. 'May God have mercy on your soul.' 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. Eboni Wiley says she had just started dating Ritchie in 2014 when the two went to pick up her. 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. 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. My heart breaks for you. {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}Your submission failed. Who is Granville Ritchie? I ain't got no ill will against you,' said Jerome Williams, WREG reports. Support journalism byclicking here to ourGiveSendGoor sign up for ourfree newsletter by clicking here. Ritchie is accused in the 2014 murder of 9-year-old Felecia Williams. Demersons testimony brought back feelings of grief, she said. "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. Demerson showed poise on the witness stand, her voice never breaking as she talked about Felecias birth, how she liked to feed ducks in the neighborhood pond, and how she sang in her church youth choir. This is as tough as it gets, Sisco said. 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. Roebuck, the appellant's attorney, insisted that there was nothing spontaneous about Harmon's argument. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. A Florida man has been sentenced to death for the 2014 rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl left in his care . Buckwalter claimed that the prosecutor was simply describing Ritchies actions to jurors and made a brusque comment. The penalty phase of the trial started Thursday. Granville Ritchie would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death Florida Death Row Inmate List I think there is a good chance there was somebody pressing the arm down or kneeling on the patient for a period of time. "For most parents, that moment passes but for a few unfortunate ones, it doesn't. All rights reserved. 17:14 EST 05 Nov 2021. Ritchie and Felecia did not know each other before meeting on May 16, 2014, but they were both close to Eboni Wiley, who was the mans girlfriend and the girls neighbor and family friend. Prosecutors believe it was Felecia calling for help. Wiley and Ritchie picked her up on May 16, 2014. 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? 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. Ritchie.". That pain would have been greater for a girl. Ritchie was found guilty of killing. Wiley initially told investigators that Felecia had run away while she and Ritchie had sex in a bedroom, but she later admitted she lied. Investigators later found leaves and sand matching evidence from the crime scene. Still, she said, she can put her feelings aside and continue hearing the case. That is true. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Granville Ritchie, the man who raped and murdered 9-year-old Felecia Williams in 2014, was sentenced to death Friday. 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. He said she used ecstasy, and that she said it could feel like Satan was manipulating her while she was on it. ''I'm not like everybody else, bro. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. Granville Ritchie was sentenced to death by the State of Florida for the sexual assault and murder of a nine year old girl. The penalty phase of the trial started Thursday. RELATED STORY: Granville Ritchie guilty of raping, killing 9-year-old Felecia Williams. Some days I dont know if Im coming or going.. 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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. By 4:30 p.m., they returned the guilty verdict. 'Im trying to figure out how that is not a Golden Rule violation,' Grosshans said, referring to the prosecutor's speech. Granville Ritchie was sentenced to. I know that you know that you and Felecia will have a joyous reunion. Ritchie did poorly in school, repeating 9th grade before dropping out in 10th, jurors were told. . For most parents, that moment passes but for a few unfortunate ones, it doesn't. A unanimous 12-0 decision is required. 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The sentencing hearing began Thursday and continued Friday. For him to feel what she felt. You can see proceedings in the player above. Testimony is expected to continue Friday. 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. According to court documents Granville Ritchie would abduct, sexually assault and murder Felecia Williams. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. 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. I know you're a woman of deep faith. Felecia Demerson holds up an image of her daughter, Felecia Williams, during the sentencing hearing for her killer. The seven justices of the state Supreme Court did not reach a decision in Ritchie's case this week. In September 2019, all 12 jurors agreed Ritchie, who grew up in Jamaica,should face the death penalty. 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. 2023 FOX Television Stations. 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. 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. The sentencing phase will begin when court resumes Thursday morning.
Ritchie instructed Wiley, who was baby sitting Felecia, to leave the home to buy marijuana. This was deliberate. After Demerson left the courtroom, the juror leaned forward, shielding her face. 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 During a Florida Supreme Court hearing Thursday, Judge Jamie Grosshans closely examined Harmons comments and noted that she leaned toward the defense position. That argument is considered legally improper because jurors are expected to weigh a verdict objectively based on evidence alone, instead of their personal feelings. The jury has to be unanimous on the death sentence. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Ritchie was convicted in 2019 of first degree murder, s*xual assault and aggravated child abuse in connection with Felecias death. 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. Android Users,Click Here To Download The Free Press AppAnd Never Miss A Story. They asked for tissues then said they needed a break. Hernandez expressed concern about the panels ability to make a fair decision on the death penalty. Fridays sentencingincluded testimony from Felecia Demerson, the 9-year-olds mother. These cookies do not store any personal information. 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. Follow Us OnFacebook HereOrTwitter Here. Ritchie was accused of raping and killing 9-year-old Felecia Williams in 2014, then shoving her body in a suitcase, and dropping it off the Courtney Campbell Causeway bridge. pic.twitter.com/K1mmbzLM7b, Law & Crime Network (@LawCrimeNetwork) September 25, 2019. First, I am in awe of your bravery and your tireless advocacy for your daughter. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. She left 9-yr-old Sugarplum with Ritchie. #GranvilleRitchie Wiley left to get marjuana at the request of Ritchie. pic.twitter.com/ICiF7E3rSA. Jurors had a lot of evidence to review in the trial, which has . TAMPA, Fla. -- A key witness testified Monday in the Granville Ritchie murder trial. That argument is considered legally incorrect because jurors are expected to consider a verdict objectively based on evidence alone, rather than their personal feelings. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. To her family, Felecia was known as Sugar Plum. She loved animals and her family. The seven justices of the state Supreme Court did not reach a decision in Ritchies case this week. The duo were watching the girl one day, and Ritchie took Felecia to his mother's apartment, the Associated Press reported. Each parent has that sick feeling of dread that something happened to their child. Florida man Granville Ritchie, 40, was found guilty of raping and murdering 9-year-old Felecia Williams. In front of a jury tasked to decide the fate of Ritchie . Initially, Wiley told police that Felecia ran away, the Associated Press reported. Later that night, a 911 call was made on Ritchies phone that only lasted a few seconds. 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. 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. 'May God have mercy on your soul.'. 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. First, I am in awe of your bravery and your tireless advocacy for your daughter. 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. During jury selection two weeks ago, the woman who wept told the court she works as a kindergarten teachers aid. Ritchie motioned for Wiley, who was babysitting Felecia, to leave the house to buy marijuana. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. All I know is he needs to be like her.. Ritchie has difficulty completing complicated tasks, the result of head trauma he suffered during incidents including car accidents, Eisenstein said. Rick Buckwalter, the appellate attorney for Florida, conceded that it was 'a close call,' but argued that Harmon did not cross the line. Have a tip or story idea? 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.. 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. In September 2019, Ritchie was found guilty of first-degree murder, sexual battery and aggravated child abuse. Have a tip we should know? Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. Granville Ritchie, 40, is charged with first-degree murder, rape and sexual battery, and aggravated child abuse. Ritchie may have suffered brain damage, Eisenstein said. As the states case continued, the jury was presented with photos showing Felecias injuries as they were during the first phase of the trial. 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 then sexually assaulted and strangled the girl while Wiley was away, prosecutors said during his trial. Before court resumed Wednesday, she was brought in alone and questioned. 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When her mother had foot surgery in 2013, the girl spent the summer cooking for her and nursing her back to health, Demerson said. Christopher Sabella elected as Hillsborough Countys next chief judge, Tampa man who was first to face trial for Florida voter fraud in 2020 election gets probation, Florida bill seeks death penalty for child rapists, challenging SCOTUS, Steven Lorenzo sentenced to death for 2 Tampa murders, 10 big issues to watch in Floridas 2023 legislative session, Florida executes Donald Dillbeck for 1990 Tallahassee murder, Florida lawmakers take up plan to shield businesses from lawsuits, Tampa man tied to assassination of Haitian president, DeSantis strategy includes flooding zone with news, targeting conservative media, DeSantis, GOP lawmakers pursue efforts to weaken news media protections, Granville Ritchie guilty of raping, killing 9-year-old Felecia Williams, You cant get over it. Mother works to preserve memory of daughter who was slain at age 9. 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