"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. PREVIOUS:Granville Ritchie found guilty of murder in 2014 killing of 9-year-old Felecia Williams. I feel like death is appropriate. Ritchie was found guilty in 2019 of first-degree murder, sexual battery and aggravated child abuse in connection with Felecia's death. Ritchie was convicted in 2019 of first degree murder, s*xual assault and aggravated child abuse in connection with Felecias death. Ritchie was found guilty of killing. . 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. VisitTampafp.comforPolitics,Tampa Area Local News,Sports, andNational Headlines. Each parent has that sick feeling of dread that something happened to their child. Instead, it becomes a first step of a neverending nightmare you never wake from. "For him to feel what my daughter felt over and over again. Ritchie is accused in the 2014 murder of 9-year-old Felecia Williams. 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. Wiley went to buy marijuana and Ritchie then strangled and assaulted the nine-year-old, prosecutors claimed. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. No one spoke on behalf of Ritchie during Fridays testimony. 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? More than six years after the child's death, Ritchie was sentenced with the death penalty on Friday, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Ritchie, now 43, is an inmate at Union Correctional Institution, according to the Florida Department of Corrections website. During his sentencing hearing last year, Felecias father surprised the courtroom by telling the murderer of his daughter that he forgave him. During Friday's hearing, Felecia's mother addressed the court, calling for Ritchie's death. {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}Your submission failed. There will be no corporeal redemption for you your physical being, your person, Sisco said as she gave the sentence, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Learn More{{/message}}, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}It appears your submission was successful. Since Felecias death, Demerson said, she has been unable to return to work. TAMPA, Fla. -- A key witness testified Monday in the Granville Ritchie murder trial. UPDATED 4:30 PM ET Sep. 25, 2019. For him to feel what she felt. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Copyright 2023 My Crime Library | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. [emailprotected]. Granville Ritchie, the man who raped and murdered 9-year-old Felecia Williams in 2014, was sentenced to death Friday. This is as tough as it gets, Sisco said. The jury voted unanimously to recommend a death sentence for the murder, and the trial court sentenced Ritchie to death. 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. Wiley initially told investigators that Felecia had run away while she and Ritchie had sex in a bedroom, but she later admitted she lied. I know youre a woman of deep faith. 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. By She explained that she recently suffered a personal loss. Youre a better stronger woman than I am. Granville Ritchie was found guilty of killing Williams in Sept. 2019. . He then is believed to have hid her body in a suitcase, which he dumped into Tampa Bay. 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. RELATED STORY: Granville Ritchie guilty of raping, killing 9-year-old Felecia Williams. Granville Ritchie, the man who raped and murdered 9-year-old Felecia Williams in 2014, was sentenced to death Friday. Some days, I dont know whether Im coming or going, she said. Ritchie may have suffered brain damage, Eisenstein said. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In September 2019, Ritchie was found guilty of first-degree murder, sexual battery and aggravated child abuse. For him to feel what she felt. I ain't got no ill will against you,' said Jerome Williams, WREG reports. That is true. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. I feel like death is appropriate. Wiley and Ritchie picked her up on May 16, 2014. For most parents, that moment passes but for a few unfortunate ones, it doesnt. These cookies do not store any personal information. You're a better, stronger woman than I am. . 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Harmon is a veteran prosecutor who has been prosecuting homicides for 20 years,' she told the court. That pain would have been greater for a girl. 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. But the judge told them to speak up if what they hear becomes overwhelming. 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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. Authorities said she originally lied to them during the investigation into Williams disappearance. 'May God have mercy on your soul.'. Wiley was a witness at Ritchies trial and was accused of lying during the missing person investigation. 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. 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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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Ritchies attorney could not be reached for comment. 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. Ritchie's lawyer had argued against a death penalty, claiming factors like an abusive childhood in Kingston, Jamaica, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Fridays sentencingincluded testimony from Felecia Demerson, the 9-year-olds mother. In September 2019, all 12 jurors agreed Ritchie, who grew up in Jamaica,should face the death penalty. 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. Granville Ritchie was sentenced to. He pegged Ritchies IQ at 78, well below average. That pain wouldve been greater for a little girl.'. Still, she said, she can put her feelings aside and continue hearing the case. Public housing tenants ask if old maps are accurate. According to court documents Granville Ritchie would abduct, sexually assault and murder Felecia Williams. A Florida man has been sentenced to death for the 2014 rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl left in his care. 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Granville Ritchie would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death Florida Death Row Inmate List He pointed as Wiley as a possible perpetrator of the murder. Have a tip or story idea? Ritchie has difficulty completing complicated tasks, the result of head trauma he suffered during incidents including car accidents, Eisenstein said. 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. the child to death before putting her body in a suitcase and dumping it near the Courtney Campbell Causeway in May 2014 . 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. For most parents, that moment passes but for a few unfortunate ones, it doesn't. First, I am in awe of your bravery and your tireless advocacy for your daughter. Testimony is expected to continue Friday. , updated 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. 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. After the child's body was discovered, however, her story changed. The jury has to be unanimous on the death sentence. According to court documents Granville Ritchie would abduct, sexually assault and murder Felecia Williams. That is true. They spent the past two days in the penalty phase of the trial listening to witnesses and hearing arguments from the 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. Roebuck, the appellant's attorney, insisted that there was nothing spontaneous about Harmon's argument. 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. STATE OF FLORIDA V. GRANVILLE RITCHIE WWW.CQINVESTIGATIONS.COM The body of Felecia Williams was found off the Courtney Campbell Causeway five . First, I am in awe of your bravery and your tireless advocacy for your daughter. This is his direct appeal. Felicia Demerson, the child's mother, said in a statement she's "waited 2,310 days for this day to come," WFTS reported. Young Nev. 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