You have entered an incorrect email address! That is true. 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. My heart breaks for you.". Wiley went to buy marijuana and Ritchie then strangled and assaulted the nine-year-old, prosecutors claimed. RELATED STORY: Granville Ritchie guilty of raping, killing 9-year-old Felecia Williams. Prosecutors said Ritchie had been dating Felecia's neighbor, Eboni Wiley, in May 2014. Buckwalter claimed that the prosecutor was simply describing Ritchies actions to jurors and made a brusque comment. Rick Buckwalter, the Florida appeals attorney, admitted it was a close call, but argued that Harmon did not cross the line. 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. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. The woman, Eboni Wiley, testified even though she had only know Ritchie for a couple of days, she left Felecia with him to go buy some marijuana. She explained that she recently suffered a personal loss. 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. By 4:30 p.m., they returned the guilty verdict. All I know is he needs to be like her.. 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. "For most parents, that moment passes but for a few unfortunate ones, it doesn't. 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. Historique L'entreprise. Convicted child killer, rapist wants off death row. Last y. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. pic.twitter.com/uYMknpFSzI, Law & Crime Network (@LawCrimeNetwork) September 16, 2019, #GranvilleRitchie Wiley said Ritchie told her to tell Felecias family that there was no male in the house, only females so she wouldnt seem like a bad person for leaving Felecia alone with a man. How far did Zion Cemetery stretch? Ritchie then sexually assaulted and strangled the girl while Wiley was away, prosecutors said during his trial. Felecias death has affected my life, Felecia Demerson said on the stand, according to BayNews9. When she returned Ritchie told her he let Sugarplum go to the CVS to get candy. It is unreasonable to think, in light of the facts of this case, that any juror would be able to avoid all signs of emotion, Sisco said. "May God have mercy on your soul, Mr. On the day of the murder, Felecia left home with Wiley and went to Ritchies mothers apartment in the Doral Oaks apartment complex. 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. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. "That would indicate to me that a force was applied across the upper chest. I do still see the humanity in you,"Judge Sisco said after delivering the death sentence. Felecia Demerson holds up an image of her daughter, Felecia Williams, during the sentencing hearing for her killer. 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. Letsgetstarted. Injuries to her mouth, he said, indicated that a hand may have been placed over it, keeping her from crying out. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. 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. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. 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. The girls body was found washed up on a shoreline a day after she had been left alone with Ritchie. Instead, it becomes a first step of a neverending nightmare you never wake from. 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. After Demerson left the courtroom, the juror leaned forward, shielding her face. ", Felecia Demerson holds up an image of her daughter, Felecia Williams, during the sentencing hearing for her killer. My heart breaks for you. I wish you all of the best.. Later that night, Ritchie drove to the Courtney Campbell Causeway, where he dumped Felecias body into the bay. 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. She will have her own trial next month, The Associated Press reported. In September 2019, Ritchie was found guilty of first-degree murder, sexual battery and aggravated child abuse. Follow Us OnFacebook HereOrTwitter Here. By TAMPA, Fla. -- A key witness testified Monday in the Granville Ritchie murder trial. Each parent has that sick feeling of dread that something happened to their child. Ritchie faces the death penalty. Each parent has that sick feeling of dread that something happened to their child. "May God have mercy on your soul, Mr. Ritchie," Judge. 17:14 EST 05 Nov 2021. As the states case continued, the jury was presented with photos showing Felecias injuries as they were during the first phase of the trial. When Wiley returned almost an hour later, Ritchie claimed that he gave Felecia money for her to go buy candy at a nearby CVS store and that she had not returned. Ritchie motioned for Wiley, who was babysitting Felecia, to leave the house to buy marijuana. More than six years after the child's death, Ritchie was sentenced with the death penalty on Friday, the Tampa Bay Times reported. I am here to bury this Jamaican today, she said during the hearing. 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. 11/4/21 Florida Supreme Court Oral Arguments: Granville Ritchie v. State of Florida SC20-1422. Ritchie's lawyer had argued against a death penalty, claiming factors like an abusive childhood in Kingston, Jamaica, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Ritchie found guilty in death of Felecia Williams, 9. All rights reserved. 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. Friday's sentencingincluded testimony from Felecia Demerson, the 9-year-old's mother. Wiley initially told investigators that Felecia had run away while she and Ritchie had sex in a bedroom, but she later admitted she lied. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Open in Our App The girl's body was found washed up on a shoreline a day after she had been left alone with Ritchie. The child's mother and a judge had some parting words. Ritchie.". Eboni Wiley, in May 2014, prosecutors said. In arguing for the death penalty, Tampa prosecutor Scott Harmon said to the jury, in part: 'Can you imagine the dread of knowing that your life is ending and you are feeling pain all over your body? Granville Ritchie would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death. Later that night, a 911 call was made on Ritchies phone that only lasted a few seconds. The child's mother and a judge had some parting words. 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. Granville Ritchie was sentenced to. pic.twitter.com/ICiF7E3rSA. At the time, they said she was left alone with Ritchie after the woman who was babysitting her left to purchase drugs. Court stopped briefly after a juror in Granville Ritchies trial began sobbing during the testimony of the 9-year-old victims mother. 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. Granville Ritchie was found guilty of killing Williams in Sept. 2019. . By Fallon Silcox Hillsborough County. 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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. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? . For most parents, that moment passes but for a few unfortunate ones, it doesn't. Closing arguments wrapped up Wednesday and the jury began deliberating. 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. 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. "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. 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. 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. The same jury will decide whether Ritchie will receive the death penalty as part of his sentencing. The seven justices of the state Supreme Court did not reach a decision in Ritchies case this week. Jurors in Tampa murder trial confront ultimate question: Could they impose the death penalty? 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. Ritchie was convicted of the first-degree murder of nine-year-old F.W., who was strangled to death in 2014. Android Users,Click Here To Download The Free Press AppAnd Never Miss A Story. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Later that night, a 911 call was made on Ritchies phone that only lasted a few seconds. 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. Granville Ritchie was sentenced to death by the State of Florida for the sexual assault and murder of a nine year old girl. According to Ritchie's appellate attorney Rachel Roebuck, Harmon's impassioned speech violated what is known in the legal profession as the Golden Rule, which is an argument that persuades jurors to put themselves in the place of the victim when considering a verdict, reported Fox 13. Bailiffs led the jury out of the courtroom. On Tuesday, a Hillsborough County jury found. Buckwalter claimed that the prosecutor was merely describing for the jurors Ritchie's actions and made an offhand remark. Harmon is a veteran prosecutor who has been prosecuting homicides for 20 years, he told the court. Roebuck, the appellants attorney, insisted that there was nothing spontaneous in Harmons argument. Jurors had a lot of evidence to review in the trial, which has . According to the Tamp Bay Times, prosecutors said that Ritchie raped and strangled the young girl before stuffing her body into a suitcase. 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. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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. That pain wouldve been greater for a little girl.'. 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.. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. 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. Ritchie instructed Wiley, who was baby sitting Felecia, to leave the home to buy marijuana. These cookies do not store any personal information. During closings, defense lawyer Bjorn Brunvandpointed out expert testimony that apparently showed there was no evidence of sexual battery. Later that night, Ritchie drove to the Courtney Campbell Causeway where he dumped Felecia's body into the bay. . 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. Tampa, Fla. -- a key witness testified Monday in the Granville Ritchie was found guilty death... Returned the guilty verdict leaned forward, shielding her face to our free HowTheyLived Newsletter the justices... Campbell Causeway where he dumped Felecia 's body into the Bay TAMPA, --. Said Ritchie had been dating Felecia 's neighbor, Eboni Wiley, may. She had been dating Felecia 's neighbor, Eboni Wiley, in may 2014, prosecutors said Ritchie been! A first step of a nine year old girl. 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