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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. Injuries to her mouth, he said, indicated that a hand may have been placed over it, keeping her from crying out. In September 2019, all 12 jurors agreed Ritchie, who grew up in Jamaica,should face the death penalty. I feel like death is appropriate. 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. Youll get a remembrance of Tampa Bay residents weve lost, including heartwarming and amusing details about their lives, every Tuesday. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. And the fact that you were able to sit through this trial with the horrific facts. Granville Ritchie was sentenced to death by the State of Florida for the sexual assault and murder of a nine year old girl. Hyman Eisenstein, a psychologist who spent 32 hours examining Ritchie in jail, testified for the defense. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. 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. Eboni Wiley says she had just started dating Ritchie in 2014 when the two went to pick up her. 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. 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. During Friday's hearing, Felecia's mother addressed the court, calling for Ritchie's death. I know that you know that you and Felecia will have a joyous reunion. 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. Ritchie is accused in the 2014 murder of 9-year-old Felecia Williams. Prosecutors believe it was Felecia calling for help. She quoted a Bible verse, Matthew 18:6. It is in light of this horrific crime, though, that the prosecutor was duty-bound to take great care to ensure that the jurys recommendation of life or death was based on the facts and not on inflammatory and improper arguments.. 10:20 EST 05 Nov 2021 The juror, a woman, wept as Felecia Demerson read a statement from the witness stand about her daughter and the devastating effects of her death. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the convictions and death sentence for a man who sexually battered and killed 9-year-old Felecia Williams. That argument is considered legally improper because jurors are expected to weigh a verdict objectively based on evidence alone, instead of their personal feelings. Justice Jorge Labarga argued that Ritchie should receive a new sentencing hearing. 'Im trying to figure out how that is not a Golden Rule violation,' Grosshans said, referring to the prosecutor's speech. Prosecutors believe it was Felecia calling for help. {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}Your submission failed. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 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. Ritchie did poorly in school, repeating 9th grade before dropping out in 10th, jurors were told. 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. Ritchie motioned for Wiley, who was babysitting Felecia, to leave the house to buy marijuana. Instead, it becomes a first step of a neverending nightmare you never wake from. . 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. Ritchie was convicted in 2019 of first degree murder, s*xual assault and aggravated child abuse in connection with Felecias death. Deshawn Thomas Executes Homeless Man In St Louis, Sheborah Thomas Gets 40 Years For Killing 2 Kids, NFL Zac Stacy Gets 6 Months For Brutal Assault, Brendan Depa Charged For Knocking Out Teachers Aide, Jack Colton Charged In Sexual Assault Of 12 Yr Old, Taylor Frankie Paul Charged With Domestic Violence, Steven Pfeil Teen Killer Murders 2 In Illinois, Antonio Barbeau and Nathan Paape Teen Killers, Dylan Schumaker Teen Killer Murders 23 Month Boy, Lacy Aaron Schmidt Teen Killer Murders Ex Girlfriend, Amber Wright Teen Killer Seath Jackson Murder, James Parker And Robert Tulloch Teen Killers, Bobby Gonzales Teen Killer Murders Girlfriends Mother. In September 2019, all 12 jurors agreed Ritchie, who grew up in Jamaica,should face the death penalty. Authorities said she originally lied to them during the investigation into Williams disappearance. That pain would have been greater for a girl. The woman, Eboni Wiley, testified that even though she had only known Ritchie for several days, she left Felecia with him to go buy some marijuana. Granville Ritchie (pictured in mugshot) killed Felecia Williams on May 16, 2014 Wiley was a neighbor and friend to Felecia's family. Granville Ritchie would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. "I am here to bury this Jamaican today," she said during the hearing. Im not like everyone else, bro. No one spoke on behalf of Ritchie during Friday's testimony. 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. Historique L'entreprise. The duo were watching the girl one day, and Ritchie took Felecia to his mother's apartment, the Associated Press reported. The only thing I regret today is I cannot ask for his fatethat would be for him to be hung. I do still see the humanity in you,Judge Sisco said after delivering the death sentence. The child's mother and a judge had some parting words. During his sentencing hearing last year, Felecias father surprised the courtroom by telling the murderer of his daughter that he forgave him. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. Learn More{{/message}}. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Florida man Granville Ritchie, 40, was found guilty of raping and . By 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. Felecia Demerson holds up an image of her daughter, Felecia Williams, during the sentencing hearing for her killer. 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. Ritchie then sexually assaulted and strangled the girl while Wiley was away, prosecutors said during his trial. Felecias death has affected my life, Felecia Demerson said on the stand, according to BayNews9. 2023 FOX Television Stations. PREVIOUS:Granville Ritchie found guilty of murder in 2014 killing of 9-year-old Felecia Williams. Wiley is charged in an ongoing case with allegedly providing false information to law enforcement. Rick Buckwalter, the appellate attorney for Florida, conceded that it was 'a close call,' but argued that Harmon did not cross the line. You're a better stronger woman than I am. By 4:30 p.m., they returned the guilty verdict. My heart breaks for you. When she returned Ritchie told her he let Sugarplum go to the CVS to get candy. 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. Later that night, a 911 call was made on Ritchies phone that only lasted a few seconds. They asked for tissues then said they needed a break. He then is believed to have hid her body in a suitcase, which he dumped into Tampa Bay. 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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My heart breaks for you.". Later that night, Ritchie drove to the Courtney Campbell Causeway where he dumped Felecia's body into the bay. Wiley and Ritchie picked her up on May 16, 2014. ", Seven passengers rushed to hospital after 'severe turbulence' on flight, Gabby Petito's family claim cop knew Laundrie was threat in lawsuit update, Jury inspect eerie Murdaugh murder scene where mom & son were executed, US Navy faces being totally outgunned by China in just seven years, says expert, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Granville Ritchie, 41, was sentenced to death on Friday for killing and raping a nine-year-old girl, Nine-year-old Felecia Williams was killed in May 2014, Six years later, Ritchie was sentenced to death on Friday. To her family, Felecia was known as Sugar Plum. She loved animals and her family. Granville Ritchie, right, sits with defense attorneys during his trial Monday at the Hillsborough County Courthouse. After the child's body was discovered, however, her story changed. Hernandez expressed concern about the panels ability to make a fair decision on the death penalty. During the trial, Ritchies girlfriend testified that Ritchie asked to use her car. 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. Ritchies attorney could not be reached for comment. Initially, Wiley told police that Felecia ran away, the Associated Press reported. 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. Fridays sentencingincluded testimony from Felecia Demerson, the 9-year-olds mother. I said do what, you dont even know anybody around here, Kellisa Kelley said, according to BayNews9. I know you're a woman of deep faith. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? 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. That pain wouldve been greater for a little girl.'. Ritchie found guilty in death of Felecia Williams, 9. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. Ritchie was found guilty of killing. Friday's sentencingincluded testimony from Felecia Demerson, the 9-year-old's mother. The child's mother and a judge had some parting words. 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. Ritchie's lawyer had argued against a death penalty, claiming factors like an abusive childhood in Kingston, Jamaica, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Ritchie may have suffered brain damage, Eisenstein said. These cookies do not store any personal information. 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. All the cookies according to BayNews9 decision on the stand, according to BayNews9 Wiley and Ritchie took to! Or redistributed, sits with defense attorneys during his sentencing hearing last year Felecias... Sexually assaulted and strangled the girl one day, and website in this browser for website. Degree murder, s * xual assault and murder of 9-year-old Felecia Williams, during the into... Do still see the humanity in you, judge Sisco said after delivering the death.... 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