The jury recommended the death penalty. First, I am in awe of your bravery and your tireless advocacy for your daughter. The girls body was found washed up on a shoreline a day after she had been left alone with Ritchie. 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. Copyright 2022The Free Press, LLC,tampafp.com. When her mother had foot surgery in 2013, the girl spent the summer cooking for her and nursing her back to health, Demerson said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. On the day of the murder, Felecia left home with Wiley and went to Ritchies mothers apartment in the Doral Oaks apartment complex. "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. Felicia Demerson, the child's mother, said in a statement she's "waited 2,310 days for this day to come," WFTS reported. I feel like death is appropriate. Ritchie was found guilty of killing. En 1946 Christian Dior s'installe au 30, avenue Montaigne [11], l'ouverture de la boutique [12] a lieu en dcembre. First, I am in awe of your bravery and your tireless advocacy for your daughter. Ritchie found guilty in death of Felecia Williams, 9. 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. Open in Our App 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. All I know is he needs to be like her.. The penalty phase of the trial started Thursday. 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. Convicted child killer, rapist wants off death row. Court is being held in Hillsborough County. 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.. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Buckwalter claimed that the prosecutor was merely describing for the jurors Ritchie's actions and made an offhand remark. My heart breaks for you. TAMPA, Fla. Granville Ritchie was found guilty of sexually battering and murdering 9-year-old Felicia Williams in May of 2014. 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. 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. He told me he needed to do something. The only thing I regret today is I cannot ask for his fatethat would be for him to be hung. 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. 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. Letsgetstarted. The child's mother and a judge had some parting words. Ritchie instructed Wiley, who was baby sitting Felecia, to leave the home to buy marijuana. Initially, Wiley told police that Felecia ran away, the Associated Press reported. Granville Ritchie, 41, was convicted of killing and raping Felecia Williams in Florida in May 2014. Hernandez expressed concern about the panels ability to make a fair decision on the death penalty. Buckwalter claimed that the prosecutor was simply describing Ritchies actions to jurors and made a brusque comment. I ain't got no ill will against you,' said Jerome Williams, WREG reports. Wiley went to buy marijuana and Ritchie then strangled and assaulted the nine-year-old, prosecutors claimed. A PEDO was given the death penalty for raping and strangling a nine-year-old girl and hiding her body in suitcase. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Historique L'entreprise. That argument is considered legally improper because jurors are expected to weigh a verdict objectively based on evidence alone, instead of their personal feelings. Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? Testimony is expected to continue Friday. "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. All I know is he needs to be like her. Ritchies defense plans to raise a number of mitigating factors to argue for a life sentence, instead. During his sentencing hearing last year, Felecias father surprised the courtroom by telling the murderer of his daughter that he forgave him. Granville Ritchie, right, sits with defense attorneys during his trial Monday at the Hillsborough County Courthouse. These cookies do not store any personal information. UPDATED 4:30 PM ET Sep. 25, 2019. The sentencing hearing began Thursday and continued Friday. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. pic.twitter.com/K1mmbzLM7b, Law & Crime Network (@LawCrimeNetwork) September 25, 2019. Have a tip we should know? "May God have mercy on your soul, Mr. Roebuck, the appellants attorney, insisted that there was nothing spontaneous in Harmons argument. pic.twitter.com/ICiF7E3rSA. Later that night, a 911 call was made on Ritchies phone that only lasted a few seconds. Eboni Wiley says she had just started dating Ritchie in 2014 when the two went to pick up her. During the trial, Ritchies girlfriend testified that Ritchie asked to use her car. No one spoke on behalf of Ritchie during Friday's testimony. Instead, it becomes a first step of a neverending nightmare you never wake from. Im on seven different types of medication trying to cope with this new normal called life. Fridays sentencingincluded testimony from Felecia Demerson, the 9-year-olds mother. Rick Buckwalter, the appellate attorney for Florida, conceded that it was 'a close call,' but argued that Harmon did not cross the line. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. Friday's sentencingincluded testimony from Felecia Demerson, the 9-year-old's mother. She explained that she recently suffered a personal loss. Who is Granville Ritchie? As the states case continued, the jury was presented with photos showing Felecias injuries as they were during the first phase of the trial. 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. Sisco addressed the grieving mother, telling her, "I've thought long and hard about what I was going to say to you. The jury has to be unanimous on the death sentence. And the fact that you were able to sit through this trial with the horrific facts. Android Users,Click Here To Download The Free Press AppAnd Never Miss A Story. I feel like death is appropriate. "May God have mercy on your soul, Mr. Ritchie," Judge. 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. Man Strangled High School Girl with Her Bra and Dumped Her in Ravine in 1993, 'A Lynching': Iowa Man Killed, Then Burned Black Man Out of Jealousy Related to Girlfriend, Scott Peterson Will Be Re-Sentenced to Life in Prison After Death Sentence Was Overturned in 2020, Ohio Man Who Did Target Practice on Farm Convicted of Murdering Ex-Girlfriend and Her 9-Year-Old Son, Florida Man Killed Ex, Her New Boyfriend and Her Parents -- Then Left His Son Alone With Their Bodies, Former 'Sons of Guns' Star Will Hayden Found Guilty of Sexual Assaults of 2 Girls: Reports, Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty in Rape and Murder of Girlfriend's 14-Year-Old Daughter, Man Allegedly Raped, Murdered 9-Year-Old in 1993 Before Tying Her to Tree to Die, Felecias cousin, Rashida Johnson, told WTSP. Ritchie may have suffered brain damage, Eisenstein said. 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. Later that night, a 911 call was made on Ritchies phone that only lasted a few seconds. According to court documents Granville Ritchie would abduct, sexually assault and murder Felecia Williams. 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. Wiley and Ritchie picked her up on May 16, 2014. "That would indicate to me that a force was applied across the upper chest. Youll get a remembrance of Tampa Bay residents weve lost, including heartwarming and amusing details about their lives, every Tuesday. 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. 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. 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. 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On Friday morning, Hillsborough Circuit Judge Michelle Sisco sentenced Granville Ritchie to death for the May 16, 2014, murder of 9-year-old Felecia Williams, report Fox13, WWSB and the Tampa Bay Times. On Wednesday, the 12-member jury found the 40-year-old Ritchie guilty in the girl's 2014 rape and murder. Granville Ritchie, the man who raped and murdered 9-year-old Felecia Williams in 2014, was sentenced to death Friday. TAMPA, Fla. A year after his trial, Granville Ritchie has been sentenced to death for the 2014 murder of 9-year-old Felecia Williams. (FOX 13 News). Granville Ritchie, the man who raped and murdered 9-year-old Felecia Williams in 2014, was sentenced to death Friday. Ritchie is accused in the 2014 murder of 9-year-old Felecia Williams. He wrote this argument, gave it to his colleagues, I guarantee it, and tested it. The duo were watching the girl one day, and Ritchie took Felecia to his mother's apartment, the Associated Press reported. 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. During Friday's hearing, Felecia's mother addressed the court, calling for Ritchie's death. Harmon is a veteran prosecutor who has been prosecuting homicides for 20 years, he told the court. 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. Wiley and Ritchie picked her up on May 16, 2014. Granville Ritchie (pictured in mugshot) killed Felecia Williams on May 16, 2014 Wiley was a neighbor and friend to Felecia's family. Granville Ritchie was sentenced to death by the State of Florida for the sexual assault and murder of a nine year old girl. She will have her own trial next month, The Associated Press reported. 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. According to the Tamp Bay Times, prosecutors said Ritchie raped and strangled the young woman before putting her body in a suitcase. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 'He wrote out this argument, he gave it to colleagues, I guarantee you, and tested it. On Wednesday, the 12-member jury found the 40-year-old Ritchie guilty in the girls 2014 rape and murder. After the child's body was discovered, however, her story changed. Each parent has that sick feeling of dread that something happened to their child. Prosecutors challenged that, stilling claiming Williams was strangled. 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. 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. Prosecutors believe it was Felecia calling for help. She met Ritchie in May of that year and the two began dating. Granville Ritchie would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death. The girl's body was found washed up on a shoreline a day after she had been left alone with Ritchie. And Ritchie took Felecia to his colleagues, I am in awe of your bravery your... & Crime Network ( @ LawCrimeNetwork ) September 25, 2019 Users, Click Here to Download free. Advocacy for your daughter for the next time I comment with Wiley Ritchie! 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