Have a tip or story idea? 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. 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. Wiley is charged in an ongoing case with allegedly providing false information to law enforcement. 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. 2023 FOX Television Stations. 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. In September 2019, all 12 jurors agreed Ritchie, who grew up in Jamaica,should face the death penalty. First, I am in awe of your bravery and your tireless advocacy for your daughter. She left 9-yr-old Sugarplum with Ritchie. The seven justices of the state Supreme Court did not reach a decision in Ritchies case this week. ", Felecia Demerson holds up an image of her daughter, Felecia Williams, during the sentencing hearing for her killer. And Granville Ritchie knew better.. 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. 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. Mister. I just cant believe he did that to her, Felecias cousin, Rashida Johnson, told WTSP shortly after her death. A unanimous 12-0 decision is required to impose the death penalty. 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. Two other jurors turned to console her. 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. 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. Some days, I dont know whether Im coming or going, she said. And the fact that you were able to sit through this trial with the horrific facts. 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. Florida man Granville Ritchie, 40, was found guilty of raping and murdering 9-year-old Felecia Williams. Wiley said during a trial that Ritchie said he gave Felecia money to buy candy from a store. "The child victim suffered a horrendous, physically painful, psychologically torturous death,"Hillsborough Circuit Judge Michelle Sisco said, as reported by WTVT. 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. . 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. Copyright 2022The Free Press, LLC,tampafp.com. Granville Ritchie, right, sits with defense attorneys during his trial Monday at the Hillsborough County Courthouse. By For him to feel what she felt. She met Ritchie in May of that year and the two began dating. The seven justices of the state Supreme Court did not reach a decision in Ritchie's case this week. 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"I am here to bury this Jamaican today," she said during the hearing. Before court resumed Wednesday, she was brought in alone and questioned. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Copyright 2023 My Crime Library | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. Im trying to figure out how thats not a violation of the Golden Rule, she said Grosshans, referring to the prosecutors speech. Instead, it becomes a first step of a neverending nightmare you never wake from. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. That pain would have been greater for a girl. Each parent has that sick feeling of dread that something happened to their child. Granville Ritchie was sentenced to death by the State of Florida for the sexual assault and murder of a nine year old girl. Court stopped briefly after a juror in Granville Ritchies trial began sobbing during the testimony of the 9-year-old victims mother. The jury has to be unanimous on the death sentence. 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. Since Felecias death, Demerson said, she has been unable to return to work. I know youre a woman of deep faith. You're a better stronger woman than I am. 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Snejana Farberov For Dailymail.com 11/4/21 Florida Supreme Court Oral Arguments: Granville Ritchie v. State of Florida SC20-1422. Have a tip we should know? 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. As the states case continued, the jury was presented with photos showing Felecias injuries as they were during the first phase of the trial. 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. 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Prosecutors believe it was Felecia calling for help. Court is being held in Hillsborough County. 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 off an overpass. Granville Ritchie, 41, was convicted of killing and raping Felecia Williams in Florida in May 2014. Who is Granville Ritchie? No one spoke on behalf of Ritchie during Friday's testimony. 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. All I know is he needs to be like her. Youll get a remembrance of Tampa Bay residents weve lost, including heartwarming and amusing details about their lives, every Tuesday. Still, she said, she can put her feelings aside and continue hearing the case. During jury selection two weeks ago, the woman who wept told the court she works as a kindergarten teachers aid. That argument is considered legally improper because jurors are expected to weigh a verdict objectively based on evidence alone, instead of their personal feelings. Prosecutors said Ritchie had been dating Felecia's neighbor, Eboni Wiley, in May 2014. Ritchie faces the death penalty. When her mother had foot surgery in 2013, the girl spent the summer cooking for her and nursing her back to health, Demerson said. In September 2019, Ritchie was found guilty of first-degree murder, sexual battery and aggravated child abuse. 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. Granville Ritchie, the man who raped and murdered 9-year-old Felecia Williams in 2014, was sentenced to death Friday. 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. Bailiffs led the jury out of the courtroom. 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