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. Initially, Wiley told police that Felecia ran away, 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. TAMPA, Fla. Granville Ritchie was found guilty of sexually battering and murdering 9-year-old Felicia Williams in May of 2014. Wiley said during a trial that Ritchie said he gave Felecia money to buy candy from a store. He wrote this argument, gave it to his colleagues, I guarantee it, and tested it. "The child victim suffered a horrendous, physically painful, psychologically torturous death,"Hillsborough Circuit Judge Michelle Sisco said, as reported by WTVT. Im not like everyone else, bro. I know you're a woman of deep faith. The only thing I regret today is I cannot ask for his fatethat would be for him to be hung. Hyman Eisenstein, a psychologist who spent 32 hours examining Ritchie in jail, testified for the defense. First, I am in awe of your bravery and your tireless advocacy for your daughter. Follow Us OnFacebook HereOrTwitter Here. Ritchie instructed Wiley, who was baby sitting Felecia, to leave the home to buy marijuana. 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. Ritchie was convicted in 2019 of first degree murder, s*xual assault and aggravated child abuse in connection with Felecias death. 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Ritchies defense plans to raise a number of mitigating factors to argue for a life sentence, instead. Authorities say the victim was in the care ofEboni Wiley, a family friend. Closing arguments wrapped up Wednesday and the jury began deliberating. 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. 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. "The only thing I regret today is I cannot ask for his fatethat would be for him to be hung. At the time, they said she was left alone with Ritchie after the woman who was babysitting her left to purchase drugs. When the rest of the jurors were brought in, Sisco told them that, as human beings, it is normal to feel emotional in cases of such magnitude. No one spoke on behalf of Ritchie during Friday's testimony. She takes medication for depression. Wiley was a witness at Ritchies trial and was accused of lying during the missing person investigation. Closing arguments wrapped up Wednesday and the jury began deliberating. Florida man Granville Ritchie, 40, was found guilty of raping and murdering 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. 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. A Florida man has been sentenced to death for the 2014 rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl left in his care . After hearing a number of witness impact statements, Judge Michelle Sisco sentenced Granville Ritchie to death for killing Felecia Williams in 2014. TAMPA, Fla. -- A key witness testified Monday in the Granville Ritchie murder trial. Each parent has that sick feeling of dread that something happened to their child. 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. Your email address will not be published. You're a better stronger woman than I am. the child to death before putting her body in a suitcase and dumping it near the Courtney Campbell Causeway in May 2014 . pic.twitter.com/ICiF7E3rSA. 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. ", Felecia Demerson holds up an image of her daughter, Felecia Williams, during the sentencing hearing for her killer. "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. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? 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. 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. During closings, defense lawyer Bjorn Brunvandpointed out expert testimony that apparently showed there was no evidence of sexual battery. 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. STATE OF FLORIDA V. GRANVILLE RITCHIE WWW.CQINVESTIGATIONS.COM The body of Felecia Williams was found off the Courtney Campbell Causeway five . 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. All rights reserved. Im on seven different types of medication trying to cope with this new normal called life. On Tuesday, a Hillsborough County jury found Granville Ritchie guilty of killing 9-year-old Felecia Williams on May 16, 2014. When her mother had foot surgery in 2013, the girl spent the summer cooking for her and nursing her back to health, Demerson said. Injuries to her mouth, he said, indicated that a hand may have been placed over it, keeping her from crying out. My heart breaks for you. During a Florida Supreme Court hearing Thursday, Judge Jamie Grosshans closely examined Harmons comments and noted that she leaned toward the defense position. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. #GranvilleRitchie Wiley left to get marjuana at the request of Ritchie. On Wednesday, the 12-member jury found the 40-year-old Ritchie guilty in the girls 2014 rape and murder. 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. This was deliberate.'. Prosecutors believe it was Felecia calling for help. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Girlfriend testifies she does not believe Ritchie killed 9-year-old, 'Absolute mayhem': Suspect dead after shootout in Poinciana, Polk County sheriff says, Lakeland PD searching for driver of silver car who hit, killed woman Saturday, Accused drunk driver runs over boyfriend, police say, Train carrying propane derails in Manatee County, but no leaks detected: officials, I didnt realize: Woman mistakenly eats heart-shaped chip that could have won her 100K, FDA report into listeria outbreak reveals Big Olaf employees didnt have sink to wash hands, proper training, Watch again: NASA's SpaceX Crew-6 lifts off from Florida, now bound for space station, Spring Break season expected to bring record number of travelers to TPA, Pasco County school district considering cell phone ban, FBI: Explosive found in bag at Pennsylvania airport, man arrested. 2023 FOX Television Stations. 'May God have mercy on your soul.' Eboni Wiley says she had just started dating Ritchie in 2014 when the two went to pick up her. Hernandez expressed concern about the panels ability to make a fair decision on the death penalty. 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. Court is being held in Hillsborough County. The child's mother and a judge had some parting words. 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. Buckwalter claimed that the prosecutor was merely describing for the jurors Ritchie's actions and made an offhand remark. In October 2020, she pleaded guilty to lying to law enforcement and was later sentenced to 75 days in jail and five years of probation. 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. 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. I know that you know that you and Felecia will have a joyous reunion. . As the states case continued, the jury was presented with photos showing Felecias injuries as they were during the first phase of the trial. "The child victim suffered a horrendous, physically painful, psychologically torturous death," Sisco said in court on Friday. That argument is considered legally incorrect because jurors are expected to consider a verdict objectively based on evidence alone, rather than their personal feelings. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Copyright 2023 My Crime Library | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. The same jury will decide whether Ritchie will receive the death penalty as part of his sentencing. That argument is considered legally improper because jurors are expected to weigh a verdict objectively based on evidence alone, instead of their personal feelings. A PEDO was given the death penalty for raping and strangling a nine-year-old girl and hiding her body in suitcase. Granville Ritchie, 41, was convicted of first-degree murder, sexual battery and aggravated child abuse in September 2019. . We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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? Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? 'He wrote out this argument, he gave it to colleagues, I guarantee you, and tested it. Roebuck, the appellants attorney, insisted that there was nothing spontaneous in Harmons argument. Granville Ritchie would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. How far did Zion Cemetery stretch? 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. 10:20 EST 05 Nov 2021 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. How did Vladimir Putin lose half of Russia's elite paratroopers? Later that night, Ritchie drove to the Courtney Campbell Causeway, where he dumped Felecias body into the bay. Ritchie, 41, was sentenced to death will receive the death penalty as part of his sentencing rewritten. Said she was left alone with Ritchie after the woman who was at!, '' Sisco said in court on Friday in May of 2014 she was left alone with Ritchie the. Get marjuana at the request of Ritchie during Friday 's testimony was to! 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