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. Later that night, a 911 call was made on Ritchies phone that only lasted a few seconds. This was deliberate.'. Buckwalter claimed that the prosecutor was simply describing Ritchies actions to jurors and made a brusque comment. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Jurors in Tampa murder trial confront ultimate question: Could they impose the death penalty? We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Last y. During Friday's hearing, Felecia's mother addressed the court, calling for Ritchie's death. I am here to bury this Jamaican today, she said during the hearing. Im not like everyone else, bro. 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. 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. First, I am in awe of your bravery and your tireless advocacy for your daughter. Still, she said, she can put her feelings aside and continue hearing the case. Granville Ritchie was sentenced to. 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. First, I am in awe of your bravery and your tireless advocacy for your daughter. Authorities say the victim was in the care ofEboni Wiley, a family friend. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Instead, it becomes a first step of a neverending nightmare you never wake from. TAMPA, Fla. -- A key witness testified Monday in the Granville Ritchie murder trial. 10:20 EST 05 Nov 2021 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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"I am here to bury this Jamaican today," she said during the hearing. Jurors had a lot of evidence to review in the trial, which has . Granville Ritchie, 40, is charged with first-degree murder, rape and sexual battery, and aggravated child abuse. 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. 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. 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. Authorities said she originally lied to them during the investigation into Williams disappearance. Have a tip we should know? But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. I do still see the humanity in you,Judge Sisco said after delivering the death sentence. 'May God have mercy on your soul.' 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. But the courts majority, while acknowledging improper comments, said Ritchie should not receive a new hearing. That is true. 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. On Tuesday, a Hillsborough County jury found. For most parents, that moment passes but for a few unfortunate ones, it doesnt. Granville Ritchie, the man who raped and murdered 9-year-old Felecia Williams in 2014, was sentenced to death Friday. Youre a better stronger woman than I am. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Emailus. The penalty phase of the trial started Thursday. Hyman Eisenstein, a psychologist who spent 32 hours examining Ritchie in jail, testified for the defense. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? No one spoke on behalf of Ritchie during Friday's testimony. This is as tough as it gets, Sisco said. 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. During a Florida Supreme Court hearing Thursday, Judge Jamie Grosshans closely examined Harmons comments and noted that she leaned toward the defense position. Later that night, Ritchie drove to the Courtney Campbell Causeway, where he dumped Felecias body into the bay. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. The child's mother and a judge had some parting words. 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. 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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 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. After the child's body was discovered, however, her story changed. I wish you all of the best.. The duo were watching the girl one day, and Ritchie took Felecia to his mother's apartment, the Associated Press reported. 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. "May God have mercy on your soul, Mr. That argument is considered legally incorrect because jurors are expected to consider a verdict objectively based on evidence alone, rather than their personal feelings. 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. . No one spoke on behalf of Ritchie during Fridays testimony. Each parent has that sick feeling of dread that something happened to their child. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. I do still see the humanity in you,"Judge Sisco said after delivering the death sentence. Youll get a remembrance of Tampa Bay residents weve lost, including heartwarming and amusing details about their lives, every Tuesday. After Demerson left the courtroom, the juror leaned forward, shielding her face. The only thing I regret today is I cannot ask for his fate and that would be for him to be hung," Demerson said. Granville Ritchie, 41, was convicted of killing and raping Felecia Williams in Florida in May 2014. 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. In September 2019, all 12 jurors agreed Ritchie, who grew up in Jamaica,should face the death penalty. Testimony is expected to continue Friday. In September 2019, all 12 jurors agreed Ritchie, who grew up in Jamaica,should face the death penalty. 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James Upshaw Downs, a forensic pathologist, talked about the pain the girl would have felt as she was being beaten, raped and strangled. 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. Im on seven different types of medication trying to cope with this new normal called life. The same jury will decide whether Ritchie will receive the death penalty as part of his sentencing. Fridays sentencingincluded testimony from Felecia Demerson, the 9-year-olds mother. Copyright 2022The Free Press, LLC,tampafp.com. The argument is considered improper and could be grounds for an appeal because the jurors have to consider a case in an objective manner and rely on evidence alone, instead of their feelings and biases. 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. That argument is considered legally improper because jurors are expected to weigh a verdict objectively based on evidence alone, instead of their personal feelings. 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. 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. He then is believed to have hid her body in a suitcase, which he dumped into Tampa Bay. [emailprotected]. I know you're a woman of deep faith. In front of a jury tasked to decide the fate of Ritchie . Ritchie motioned for Wiley, who was babysitting Felecia, to leave the house to buy marijuana. Justice Jorge Labarga argued that Ritchie should receive a new sentencing hearing. 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. That pain would have been greater for a girl. Ritchie instructed Wiley, who was baby sitting Felecia, to leave the home to buy marijuana. I have no ill will against you, Jerome Williams said, reports WREG. I wish you all of the best.". 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. This was deliberate. 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. This is his direct appeal. Eboni Wiley says she had just started dating Ritchie in 2014 when the two went to pick up her. By Rick Buckwalter, the appellate attorney for Florida, conceded that it was 'a close call,' but argued that Harmon did not cross the line. Granville Ritchie was found guilty of killing Williams in Sept. 2019. . I know that you know that you and Felecia will have a joyous reunion. Im trying to figure out how thats not a violation of the Golden Rule, she said Grosshans, referring to the prosecutors speech. 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. She left 9-yr-old Sugarplum with Ritchie. Ritchie, now 43, is an inmate at Union Correctional Institution, according to the Florida Department of Corrections website. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. During his sentencing hearing last year, Felecia's father stunned the courtroom by telling his daughter's killer that he forgave him. 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. At the time, they said she was left alone with Ritchie after the woman who was babysitting her left to purchase drugs. Ritchie was convicted of the first-degree murder of nine-year-old F.W., who was strangled to death in 2014. Wiley and Ritchie picked her up on May 16, 2014. I know that you know that you and Felecia will have a joyous reunion. It is in light of this horrific crime, though, that the prosecutor was duty-bound to take great care to ensure that the jurys recommendation of life or death was based on the facts and not on inflammatory and improper arguments.. Wiley went to buy marijuana and Ritchie then strangled and assaulted the nine-year-old, prosecutors claimed. Roebuck, the appellant's attorney, insisted that there was nothing spontaneous about Harmon's argument. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Ritchie.". After she completed her testimony, Judge Sisco said she had struggled with how to convey her thoughts toward Demerson, but told her the following: "I've thought long and hard about what I was going to say to you. To her family, Felecia was known as Sugar Plum. She loved animals and her family. Closing arguments wrapped up Wednesday and the jury began deliberating. 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 think there is a good chance there was somebody pressing the arm down or kneeling on the patient for a period of time. A PEDO was given the death penalty for raping and strangling a nine-year-old girl and hiding her body in suitcase. Snejana Farberov For Dailymail.com Prosecutors believe it was Felecia calling for help. 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. pic.twitter.com/ICiF7E3rSA. 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. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. 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. 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