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. Later that night, a 911 call was made on Ritchies phone that only lasted a few seconds. I know that you know that you and Felecia will have a joyous reunion. Your email address will not be published. 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. Wiley said during a trial that Ritchie said he gave Felecia money to buy candy from a store. The same jury will decide whether Ritchie will receive the death penalty as part of his sentencing. The penalty phase of the trial started Thursday. 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. Youre a better stronger woman than I am. And the fact that you were able to sit through this trial with the horrific facts. Have a tip we should know? By We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 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. Felecia Demerson holds up an image of her daughter, Felecia Williams, during the sentencing hearing for her killer. Required fields are marked *. Granville Ritchie, 41, was convicted of first-degree murder, sexual battery and aggravated child abuse in September 2019. . Wiley and Ritchie picked her up on May 16, 2014. TAMPA Jurors considering whether to sentence Granville Ritchie to death for the murder of 9-year-old Felecia Williams stopped their work Thursday morning when one of them began sobbing at testimony from the little girls mother. Ritchie was convicted in 2019 of first degree murder, s*xual assault and aggravated child abuse in connection with Felecias death. But the courts majority, while acknowledging improper comments, said Ritchie should not receive a new hearing. Wiley is charged in an ongoing case with allegedly providing false information to law enforcement. 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. Prosecutors believe it was Felecia calling for help. Since Felecias death, Demerson said, she has been unable to return to work. Granville Ritchie, 40, is charged with first-degree murder, rape and sexual battery, and aggravated child abuse. Letsgetstarted. Ritchie did poorly in school, repeating 9th grade before dropping out in 10th, jurors were told. Granville Ritchie, the man who raped and murdered 9-year-old Felecia Williams in 2014, was sentenced to death Friday. By Fallon Silcox Hillsborough County. Prosecutors said Ritchie had been dating Felecia's neighbor, Eboni Wiley, in May 2014. I ain't got no ill will against you,' said Jerome Williams, WREG reports. The girl's body was found washed up on a shoreline a day after she had been left alone with Ritchie. Injuries to her mouth, he said, indicated that a hand may have been placed over it, keeping her from crying out. Ritchie instructed Wiley, who was baby sitting Felecia, to leave the home to buy marijuana. They spent the past two days in the penalty phase of the trial listening to witnesses and hearing arguments from the "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. 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. By 4:30 p.m., they returned the guilty verdict. I wish you all of the best.". ", 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. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. A unanimous 12-0 decision is required to impose the death penalty. And Granville Ritchie knew better.. That is true. Ritchies defense plans to raise a number of mitigating factors to argue for a life sentence, instead. I have no ill will against you, Jerome Williams said, reports WREG. Wiley went to buy marijuana and Ritchie then strangled and assaulted the nine-year-old, prosecutors claimed. I wish you all of the best.. In sum, we cannot say that the improper arguments precluded Ritchies jury from making a reasoned assessment based on the evidence so as to amount to a denial of due process, said the opinion shared by Chief Justice Charles Canady and Justices Alan Lawson, Carlos Muniz, John Couriel and Jamie Grosshans. Ritchie was convicted of the first-degree murder of nine-year-old F.W., who was strangled to death in 2014. According to court documents Granville Ritchie would abduct, sexually assault and murder 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. Granville Ritchie, 41, was convicted of killing and raping Felecia Williams in Florida in May 2014. 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. 10:20 EST 05 Nov 2021 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. I feel like death is appropriate. 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. I do still see the humanity in you,Judge Sisco said after delivering the death sentence. She met Ritchie in May of that year and the two began dating. 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. Authorities say the victim was in the care ofEboni Wiley, a family friend. . Ritchie found guilty in death of Felecia Williams, 9. 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. The seven justices of the state Supreme Court did not reach a decision in Ritchies case this week. Ritchie was found guilty of killing. 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. Later that night, Ritchie drove to the Courtney Campbell Causeway, where he dumped Felecias body into the bay. How far did Zion Cemetery stretch? First, I am in awe of your bravery and your tireless advocacy for your daughter. No one spoke on behalf of Ritchie during Friday's testimony. , updated 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 jury recommended the death penalty. These cookies do not store any personal information. You have entered an incorrect email address! She explained that she recently suffered a personal loss. 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. "I am here to bury this Jamaican today," she said during the hearing. Testimony is expected to continue Friday. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. You're a better, stronger woman than I am. Roebuck, the appellants attorney, insisted that there was nothing spontaneous in Harmons argument. James Upshaw Downs, a forensic pathologist, talked about the pain the girl would have felt as she was being beaten, raped and strangled. Im trying to figure out how thats not a violation of the Golden Rule, she said Grosshans, referring to the prosecutors speech. My heart breaks for you.". When she returned Ritchie told her he let Sugarplum go to the CVS to get candy. Initially, Wiley told police that Felecia ran away, the Associated Press reported. TAMPA, Fla. -- A key witness testified Monday in the Granville Ritchie murder trial. 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. 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. Roebuck, the appellant's attorney, insisted that there was nothing spontaneous about Harmon's argument. 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And the fact that you were able to sit through this trial with the horrific facts. 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. That is true. During his sentencing hearing last year, Felecia's father stunned the courtroom by telling his daughter's killer that he forgave him. Wiley was a witness at Ritchies trial and was accused of lying during the missing person investigation. Last y. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. First, I am in awe of your bravery and your tireless advocacy for your daughter. Still, she said, she can put her feelings aside and continue hearing the case. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? In front of a jury tasked to decide the fate of Ritchie . Some days I dont know if Im coming or going.. On the day of the murder, Felecia left home with Wiley and went to Ritchies mothers apartment in the Doral Oaks apartment complex. No one spoke on behalf of Ritchie during Fridays testimony. 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