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. A PEDO was given the death penalty for raping and strangling a nine-year-old girl and hiding her body in 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. During closings, defense lawyer Bjorn Brunvandpointed out expert testimony that apparently showed there was no evidence of sexual battery. Granville Ritchie was found guilty of killing Williams in Sept. 2019. . Two other jurors turned to console her. Ritchie has difficulty completing complicated tasks, the result of head trauma he suffered during incidents including car accidents, Eisenstein said. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. TAMPA, Fla. A jury found Granville Ritchie guilty of murder and rape Wednesday afternoon in the 2014 killing of 9-year . All I know is he needs to be like her.. By VisitTampafp.comforPolitics,Tampa Area Local News,Sports, andNational Headlines. Police search allotment sheds for Constance Marten's missing baby. Granville Ritchie, 40, is charged with first-degree murder, rape and sexual battery, and aggravated child abuse. I think there is a good chance there was somebody pressing the arm down or kneeling on the patient for a period of time. My heart breaks for you. The duo were watching the girl one day, and Ritchie took Felecia to his mother's apartment, the Associated Press reported. She left 9-yr-old Sugarplum with Ritchie. Ritchie was found guilty of killing. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The seven justices of the state Supreme Court did not reach a decision in Ritchies case this week. When she returned Ritchie told her he let Sugarplum go to the CVS to get candy. TAMPA, Fla. -- A key witness testified Monday in the Granville Ritchie murder trial. 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. 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. Later that night, a 911 call was made on Ritchies phone that only lasted a few seconds. 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. Harmon is a veteran prosecutor who has been prosecuting homicides for 20 years, he told the court. ", Felecia Demerson holds up an image of her daughter, Felecia Williams, during the sentencing hearing for her killer. She will have her own trial next month, The Associated Press reported. 'May God have mercy on your soul.' And the fact that you were able to sit through this trial with the horrific facts. On the night of her murder, Felecia, who was known to her family as Sugar Plum, was left alone with Ritchie at his Temple Terrace apartment by a woman who was supposed to be watching her. Ritchie may have suffered brain damage, Eisenstein said. The only thing I regret today is I cannot ask for his fatethat would be for him to be hung. Copyright 2022The Free Press, LLC,tampafp.com. More than six years after the child's death, Ritchie was sentenced with the death penalty on Friday, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Each parent has that sick feeling of dread that something happened to their child. Jurors in Tampa murder trial confront ultimate question: Could they impose the death penalty? No one spoke on behalf of Ritchie during Friday's testimony. (FOX 13 News). Im trying to figure out how thats not a violation of the Golden Rule, she said Grosshans, referring to the prosecutors speech. 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. Im on seven different types of medication trying to cope with this new normal called life. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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Buckwalter claimed that the prosecutor was simply describing Ritchies actions to jurors and made a brusque comment. I think most parents have a moment when a child runs away from them, they cant find a child, a call or text message goes unanswered for a period of time. Learn More{{/message}}. [. The same jury will decide whether Ritchie will receive the death penalty as part of his sentencing. During his sentencing hearing last year, Felecias father surprised the courtroom by telling the murderer of his daughter that he forgave him. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Granville Ritchie, 41, was convicted of first-degree murder, sexual battery and aggravated child abuse in September 2019. . 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. You have entered an incorrect email address! Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Injuries to her mouth, he said, indicated that a hand may have been placed over it, keeping her from crying out. Ritchie is accused in the 2014 murder of 9-year-old Felecia Williams. Eboni Wiley, in May 2014, prosecutors said. Hyman Eisenstein, a psychologist who spent 32 hours examining Ritchie in jail, testified for the defense. That is true. "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 the fact that you were able to sit through this trial with the horrific facts. The Golden Rule argument refers to an argument put forth by the prosecution in a jury trial, where jurors are persuaded to consider themselves in the place of the victim in reaching a verdict that they would prefer the defendant to get. 'Im trying to figure out how that is not a Golden Rule violation,' Grosshans said, referring to the prosecutor's speech. 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. 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. Authorities said she originally lied to them during the investigation into Williams disappearance. Buckwalter claimed that the prosecutor was merely describing for the jurors Ritchie's actions and made an offhand remark. Ritchie then s*xually assaulted and strangled the girl while Wiley was away, prosecutors said during his trial. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Later that night, a 911 call was made on Ritchies phone that only lasted a few seconds. 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. I do still see the humanity in you,"Judge Sisco said after delivering the death sentence. During a Florida Supreme Court hearing Thursday, Judge Jamie Grosshans closely examined Harmons comments and noted that she leaned toward the defense position. 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. Sisco addressed the grieving mother, telling her, "I've thought long and hard about what I was going to say to you. By 4:30 p.m., they returned the guilty verdict. 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. If convicted, he faces a possible death sentence. Since Felecias death, Demerson said, she has been unable to return to work. According to court documents Granville Ritchie would abduct, sexually assault and murder Felecia Williams. 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. TAMPA, Fla. Granville Ritchie was found guilty of sexually battering and murdering 9-year-old Felicia Williams in May of 2014. . Historique L'entreprise. Court stopped briefly after a juror in Granville Ritchies trial began sobbing during the testimony of the 9-year-old victims mother. The girl's body was found washed up on a shoreline a day after she had been left alone with Ritchie. You can see proceedings in the player above. (Florida child s*x killer who tortured, raped and murdered girl, 9, is appealing his death ) Wiki, Bio, Age,Death,Family,Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & Quick Facts, Read Also: Who was Mak Parhar?Flat Earther and COVID-19 denier Mak Parhar found dead, Congress Is Investigating McKinsey Over Its Role in the Opioid Crisis, Alyssa Milano: Giving birth to my first child reminded me of being sexually assaulted. On Wednesday, the 12-member jury found the 40-year-old Ritchie guilty in the girls 2014 rape and murder. Prosecutors believe it was Felecia calling for help. L'anne suivante, soutenant financirement le couturier depuis ses dbuts, Marcel Boussac [n 1] fonde la Socit Christian Dior parfums, SARL nomme alors plus communment Dior Parfums [n 2].Serge Heftler-Louiche, ami du couturier et natif . These cookies do not store any personal information. For him to feel what she felt. After Demerson left the courtroom, the juror leaned forward, shielding her face. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. According to the Tamp Bay Times, prosecutors said that Ritchie raped and strangled the young girl before stuffing her body into a suitcase. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Open in Our App [emailprotected]. Android Users,Click Here To Download The Free Press AppAnd Never Miss A Story. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? 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. Have a tip or story idea? Ritchies defense plans to raise a number of mitigating factors to argue for a life sentence, instead. Mister. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. I wish you all of the best.". Wiley said during a trial that Ritchie said he gave Felecia money to buy candy from a store. 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. When Wiley returned nearly an hour later, Ritchie claimed that he gave Felecia money to go buy candy at a nearby CVS store and she had not returned. Granville Ritchie, 41, was convicted of killing and raping Felecia Williams in Florida in May 2014. He told me he needed to do something. I feel like death is appropriate. 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. Ritchies attorney could not be reached for comment. First, I am in awe of your bravery and your tireless advocacy for your daughter. Follow Us OnFacebook HereOrTwitter Here. Ritchie, now 43, is an inmate at Union Correctional Institution, according to the Florida Department of Corrections website. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. 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. Daughter who was slain at age 9, Subscribe to our Free HowTheyLived Newsletter violation of the.! Works to preserve memory of daughter who was slain at age 9, Subscribe to our Free Newsletter... And aggravated child abuse in September 2019. 2014 rape and murder Felecia Williams trauma he during! That is not a Golden Rule, she has been prosecuting homicides for 20 years, said. Years, he told the court a violation of the website name, email, website... Best. `` charged with first-degree murder, rape and sexual battery is not a of... 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