When her mother had foot surgery in 2013, the girl spent the summer cooking for her and nursing her back to health, Demerson said. 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. The girl's body was found washed up on a shoreline a day after she had been left alone with Ritchie. 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. Investigators later found leaves and sand matching evidence from the crime scene. She left 9-yr-old Sugarplum with Ritchie. 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. 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. 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. My heart breaks for you. 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. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? A Florida man is on trial in the alleged murder of 9-year-old Felecia Nicole Williams . Fridays sentencingincluded testimony from Felecia Demerson, the 9-year-olds mother. 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. A unanimous 12-0 decision is required. Wiley has been charged with lying during a missing person investigation. This is as tough as it gets, Sisco said. Hernandez expressed concern about the panels ability to make a fair decision on the death penalty. The penalty phase of the trial started Thursday. After Demerson left the courtroom, the juror leaned forward, shielding her face. At the time, they said she was left alone with Ritchie after the woman who was babysitting her left to purchase drugs. A unanimous 12-0 decision is required to impose the death penalty. "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. And Granville Ritchie knew better.. She quoted a Bible verse, Matthew 18:6. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? . "For most parents, that moment passes but for a few unfortunate ones, it doesn't. Roebuck, the appellants attorney, insisted that there was nothing spontaneous in Harmons argument. In September 2019, all 12 jurors agreed Ritchie, who grew up in Jamaica,should face the death penalty. 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. He grew up in a poverty-stricken neighborhood, plagued with crime and violence, and endured beatings from a father who had 18 children by several different mothers. "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. ", PREVIOUS: Girlfriend testifies she does not believe Ritchie killed 9-year-old. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. That pain would have been greater for a girl. Ritchie.". The seven justices of the state Supreme Court did not reach a decision in Ritchies case this week. Court stopped briefly after a juror in Granville Ritchies trial began sobbing during the testimony of the 9-year-old victims mother. Support journalism byclicking here to ourGiveSendGoor sign up for ourfree newsletter by clicking here. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. In front of a jury tasked to decide the fate of Ritchie . Who is Granville Ritchie? Granville Ritchie, right, sits with defense attorneys during his trial Monday at the Hillsborough County Courthouse. The sentencing phase will begin when court resumes Thursday morning. The same jury will decide whether Ritchie will receive the death penalty as part of his sentencing. My heart breaks for you. Later that night, Ritchie drove to the Courtney Campbell Causeway, where he dumped Felecias body into the bay. Wiley initially told investigators that Felecia had run away while she and Ritchie had sex in a bedroom, but she later admitted she lied. 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. Since Felecias death, Demerson said, she has been unable to return to work. ''I'm not like everybody else, bro. You have entered an incorrect email address! Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Your email address will not be published. Ritchie's lawyer had argued against a death penalty, claiming factors like an abusive childhood in Kingston, Jamaica, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Copyright 2022The Free Press, LLC,tampafp.com. 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 closings, defense lawyer Bjorn Brunvandpointed out expert testimony that apparently showed there was no evidence of sexual battery. [. That argument is considered legally incorrect because jurors are expected to consider a verdict objectively based on evidence alone, rather than their personal feelings. Injuries to her mouth, he said, indicated that a hand may have been placed over it, keeping her from crying out. If convicted, he faces a possible death sentence. "The child victim suffered a horrendous, physically painful, psychologically torturous death," Sisco said in court on Friday. They spent the past two days in the penalty phase of the trial listening to witnesses and hearing arguments from the 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.. He pegged Ritchies IQ at 78, well below average. 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. The jury recommended the death penalty. Florida man Granville Ritchie, 40, was found guilty of raping and . Ritchie faces the death penalty. Im on seven different types of medication trying to cope with this new normal called life. Last y. That argument is considered legally improper because jurors are expected to weigh a verdict objectively based on evidence alone, instead of their personal feelings. Nearly a year aftera jury recommended Granville Ritchie be put to death for the rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl, an emotional judge agreed, and sentenced him to death on Friday morning. Two other jurors turned to console her. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Apparent signs of sexual abuse on the victims body might have happened while she was floating in the water, exposed to the elements. Tampa Area Local News, National Stories, and Politics, introu Wins Pitch Club Competition at Global Online Marketplaces Summit, Dr. Michael Dattoli Discusses Nonsurgical Cancer Treatments, The Free Press Journalistic And Ethical Standards, Explore The Fulgor Milano Collection At Famous Tate, Florida Missing Child Alert Issued For 3-Year-Old Ava Joseph, Libs Of TikTok Founder Branches Out With New Childrens Book Telling Kids To Trust Their Parents, Biden DOJ Pushes Congress To Renew Warrantless Surveillance Law, Dead Body Found In Temple Terrace Apartment With Infant, Deputies Seek Tips, The Free Press Tampa Local, Florida, Politics, and National News. My heart breaks for you.". But the courts majority, while acknowledging improper comments, said Ritchie should not receive a new hearing. En 1946 Christian Dior s'installe au 30, avenue Montaigne [11], l'ouverture de la boutique [12] a lieu en dcembre. Ritchie motioned for Wiley, who was babysitting Felecia, to leave the house to buy marijuana. He wrote this argument, gave it to his colleagues, I guarantee it, and tested it. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. 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. 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. I wish you all of the best.. 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. 'He wrote out this argument, he gave it to colleagues, I guarantee you, and tested it. "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. 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. Man Who Killed 2 Boys with Hammer in 'Violent and Relentless Rage', Ohio Softball Coach Sexually Abused a Student, Then Begged Teen Not to Tell Authorities, Kansas Police Officer Allegedly Preyed on Black Women and Girls for Years: 'Terrorized a Community', R. Kelly Found Guilty on Six Counts in Child Pornography Trial, R.I. Man Accused of Sexually Abusing 12-Year-Old Girl, Then Offering Fellow Inmate $200 to Kill Her. "I am here to bury this Jamaican today," she said during the hearing. A doctor who took the stand Tuesday disagreed with the medical examiner's findings on the cause of death. The seven justices of the state Supreme Court did not reach a decision in Ritchie's case this week. Jurors in Tampa murder trial confront ultimate question: Could they impose the death penalty? Youre a better stronger woman than I am. Ritchie then sexually assaulted and strangled the girl while Wiley was away, prosecutors said during his trial. She will have her own trial next month, The Associated Press reported. Some days I dont know if Im coming or going.. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For him to feel what she felt. After hearing a number of witness impact statements, Judge Michelle Sisco sentenced Granville Ritchie to death for killing Felecia Williams in 2014. Ritchie and Felecia did not know each other before they met on May 16, 2014, but they were both close with Eboni Wiley, who was the man's then-girlfriend and the girl's neighbor and family friend. I have no ill will against you, Jerome Williams said, reports WREG. I wish you all of the best.". ", Felecia Demerson holds up an image of her daughter, Felecia Williams, during the sentencing hearing for her killer. This was deliberate. 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. The server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). Even though the server responded OK, it is possible the submission was not processed. Learn More{{/message}}, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}It appears your submission was successful. He told me he needed to do something. He pointed as Wiley as a possible perpetrator of the murder. Granville Ritchie was sentenced to death by the State of Florida for the sexual assault and murder of a nine year old girl. Justice Jorge Labarga argued that Ritchie should receive a new sentencing hearing. After four hours of deliberation, the jury found Ritchie guilty of first-degree murder, sexual battery and aggravated child abuse. It was the same jury who on Wednesday convicted him of killing the child in 2014. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Wiley initially told investigators that Felecia had run away while she and Ritchie had s*x in a bedroom, but later admitted that she lied. 'May God have mercy on your soul.' By Fallon Silcox Hillsborough County. 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? On Tuesday, a Hillsborough County jury found. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. 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. Ritchie, now 43, is an inmate at Union Correctional Institution, according to the Florida Department of Corrections website. Court is being held in Hillsborough County. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. TAMPA, Fla. - Nearly a year aftera jury recommended Granville Ritchie be put to death for the rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl, an emotional judge agreed, and sentenced him to death on Friday morning. The child's mother and a judge had some parting words. 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. Ritchie was convicted of the first-degree murder of nine-year-old F.W., who was strangled to death in 2014. Have a tip or story idea? document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Copyright 2023 My Crime Library | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. Granville Ritchie, the man who raped and murdered 9-year-old Felecia Williams in 2014, was sentenced to death Friday. For most parents, that moment passes but for a few unfortunate ones, it doesn't. Roebuck, the appellant's attorney, insisted that there was nothing spontaneous about Harmon's argument. The jury has to be unanimous on the death sentence. The sentencing hearing began Thursday and continued Friday. TAMPA, Fla. 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