By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). Mister. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Copyright 2023 My Crime Library | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Wiley was witness in Ritchie's trial, and was charged with lying during a missing person investigation. In front of a jury tasked to decide the fate of Ritchie . Learn More{{/message}}. She left 9-yr-old Sugarplum with Ritchie. 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. During his sentencing hearing last year, Felecia's father stunned the courtroom by telling his daughter's killer that he forgave him. Ritchie did poorly in school, repeating 9th grade before dropping out in 10th, jurors were told. Jurors saw photos of the 9-year-old girl, all with a wide smile one of her donning a blue dress at a wedding where she served as a flower girl, another of her sitting on a couch beside her mother, and a third of her mugging for a selfie as she lies on a mattress. 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. Granville Ritchie was sentenced to. [emailprotected]. "I am here to bury this Jamaican today," she said during the hearing. By Emailus. The girl's body was found washed up on a shoreline a day after she had been left alone with Ritchie. She will have her own trial next month, The Associated Press reported. 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. Instead, it becomes a first step of a never-ending nightmare you never wake from. 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. 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. 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. Wiley and Ritchie picked her up on May 16, 2014. 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? In September 2019, all 12 jurors agreed Ritchie, who grew up in Jamaica,should face the death penalty. Testimony is expected to continue Friday. And Granville Ritchie knew better.. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}Your submission failed. Ritchie was found guilty in 2019 of first-degree murder, sexual battery and aggravated child abuse in connection with Felecia's death. VisitTampafp.comforPolitics,Tampa Area Local News,Sports, andNational Headlines. Rick Buckwalter, the Florida appeals attorney, admitted it was a close call, but argued that Harmon did not cross the line. 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. Roebuck, the appellants attorney, insisted that there was nothing spontaneous in Harmons argument. Granville Ritchie, 41, was sentenced to death in September 2020 for the 2014 killing of nine-year-old Felecia Williams, who was raped, strangled to death, stuffed into a suitcase and thrown. The child victim suffered a horrendous, physically painful, psychologically torturous death,Hillsborough Circuit Judge Michelle Sisco said with her voice cracking, before removing her glasses to wipe away tears, 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. 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. "That would indicate to me that a force was applied across the upper chest. 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.. 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At the time, they said she was left alone with Ritchie after the woman who was babysitting her left to purchase drugs. Court stopped briefly after a juror in Granville Ritchies trial began sobbing during the testimony of the 9-year-old victims mother. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. 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. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. I just cant believe he did that to her, Felecias cousin, Rashida Johnson, told WTSP shortly after her death. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I feel like death is appropriate. "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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Android Users,Click Here To Download The Free Press AppAnd Never Miss A Story. "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. Florida man Granville Ritchie, 40, was found guilty of raping and murdering 9-year-old Felecia Williams. Granville Ritchie, 41, was convicted of first-degree murder, sexual battery and aggravated child abuse in September 2019. . #GranvilleRitchie GUILTY on all counts 1st degree murder, Rape & Sexual Battery and Aggravated Child Abuse. 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. My heart breaks for you. Ritchies attorney could not be reached for comment. Ritchie instructed Wiley, who was baby sitting Felecia, to leave the home to buy marijuana. 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. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the conviction and death sentence of a Hillsborough County man convicted of sexually assaulting and murdering a 9-year-old girl and dumping her body in water off the Courtney Campbell Causeway. Battery and aggravated child abuse in connection with Felecia 's death charged with during! Confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service her left to purchase drugs your! In this browser for the website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat.... Was a close call, but argued that Harmon did not sign onto it android Users, click to. 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