Rilya Wilson Murder Case

[sharon]

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/03/3166863/jail-informant-finishes-testimony.html

Posted on Thursday, 01.03.13

Jail informant finishes testimony in Rilya Wilson trial

Robin Lunceford, a convict who has spent half her life in prison, claims Geralyn Graham confessed to smothering the missing 4-year-old foster child.

By DAVID OVALLE
dovalle@MiamiHerald.com

After four days on the witness stand, jailhouse informant Robin Lunceford finished her testimony Thursday as prosecutors in the Rilya Wilson murder trial played an excerpt from a television news interview.

“If you tell me you just robbed three banks, I’ll say, ‘OK, no problem. I won’t say a word,’” Lunceford told WFOR-CBS4 in 2005 in an interview played for jurors.

“But you tell me you killed a baby, then if that makes me a snitch, I’m going to snitch proud. She smothered that baby.”

The state’s star witness, Lunceford had told jurors that Rilya’s caretaker, Geralyn Graham, confessed that she hated the child because of her unruly behavior, and that she smothered the 4-year-old with a pillowcase, burying her near a body of water in South Miami-Dade.

Graham, 66, is accused of kidnapping, abusing and murder Rilya.

Prosecutors believe Graham killed the foster child sometime about Christmas 2000, although state child welfare workers did not discover Rilya was missing until April 2002.

 ::snipping2::

[Sister]

Justice for Rilya! 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/11/26/child-murder-florida/1727503/
(Photo: Miami-Dade Police Department)

This is so sickening!  Rest in peace little one.

[sharon]

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Life-Became-Unbearable-in-Jail-Informant-in-Geralyn-Graham-Trial-Says-185589072.html


Life Became Unbearable in Jail, Informant in Geralyn Graham Trial Says
Robin Lunceford testified for a fourth and final day Thursday
By Ari Odzer
Thursday, Jan 3, 2013  |  Updated 8:32 PM EST

The prosecution’s star witness in the Geralyn Graham trial testified Thursday that life became unbearable in jail after she told police about Graham’s alleged confession.

That was because Graham had so many friends there, Robin Lunceford said.

“The trustees would spit in my food,” Lunceford said.

She added about the first-degree murder defendant: “She would pay them in commissary to do her bidding, that’s why everyone loved Mama Graham.”

Lunceford has previously told jurors that Graham confessed to her behind bars, saying that Graham told her she murdered 4-year-old foster child Rilya Wilson because she thought the girl was possessed by demons. Rilya’s body was never found.

 ::snipping2::

[MuffyBee]

http://www.local10.com/news/2nd-jailhouse-informant-testifies-in-Rilya-Wilson-case/-/1717324/18011812/-/sqifk9z/-/index.html
2nd jailhouse informant testifies in Rilya Wilson case
Geralyn Graham accused of killing missing 4-year-old foster girl
January 4, 2013

MIAMI -
A second jailhouse informant testified in the murder trail of 66-year-old Geralyn Graham, who is accused of killing missing Florida foster child Rilya Wilson.

Maggie Carr, a convicted murderer, testified Friday that she was trained to be a law clerk in prison and assist inmates. She said she spoke with Graham at the Homestead Correctional Facility in 2005.

Carr testified that Graham asked her several questions about being convicted of murder if no body is found. In previous testimony, Robin Lunceford, another jailhouse informant, claimed Graham confessed to smothering Rilya with a pillow and burying her body near water. Rilya's body was never found.

"She said, 'Well, there's no body.' She wasn't concerned because if there's no body, there's no murder," said Carr, who also served as a law clerk to Lunceford.

"'It's gone.' And I was like, 'What do you mean it's gone?' And she was like, 'Well, you know, it's gone. It's to the elements.' And I was like, 'What do you mean the elements?' And she was like, 'You know, the elements, water,'" continued Carr. "And I was like, 'Water? What do you mean water?' And she was like, 'You know, elements, waste away, critters.'"

Carr said she tried convincing Graham to confess.

"She said whoever was out there was beholden to her. She wasn't concerned," said Carr.

Corrections officer Shandra Christian also testified Friday, saying she was at the jail when Lunceford claimed Graham confessed to her while the two shared a jail cell.
More...

Video at link

[yuknomenot]

Good grief, Robin Lunceford again.  She sure gets around. 

[sharon]

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/07/3171433/witness-childs-caretaker-said.html#storylink=misearch

Posted on Monday, 01.07.13

State's case winding up in Fla. missing girl trial

MIAMI -- The prosecution is wrapping up its main case in the trial of a South Florida woman accused of killing 4-year-old foster child Rilya Wilson a decade ago.

The state could rest as early as Tuesday after some five weeks of testimony in the case against 66-year-old Geralyn Graham. Defense attorneys plan to begin their case with testimony from investigators who were unable to find Rilya's remains or any forensic evidence.

It's uncertain if Graham herself will testify. 

 ::snipping2::

[sharon]

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/08/3173564/state-rests-case-in-rilya-wilson.html

Posted on Tuesday, 01.08.13

State rests case in Rilya Wilson murder trial

Convicted killer Ramona Tavia said Geralyn Graham, in sobbing cell confession, admitted to killing foster child.

By DAVID OVALLE
dovalle@MiamiHerald.com

When inmate Ramona Tavia first met Gerayln Graham, the sweet older woman insisted to Tavia that she was innocent of the charges that had landed her in jail

An unknown “white man” from the state’s child welfare agency, Graham claimed, spirited away foster child Rilya Wilson. Now, Graham said, she was being blamed for the girl’s murder.

But Tavia, who took the witness stand Tuesday to conclude the state’s murder case against Graham, said the woman changed her story one night during a sobbing cell confession.

“She said she was doing it for [her live-in lover] Pam,” Tavia, 41, told jurors. “She had to protect Pam. She’s sick, she’s weak so she killed the baby for Pam.”

Tavia, a convicted murderer, was the third jail inmate to testify against Graham in a trial that began in late November.

 ::snipping2::

[sharon]

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/10/3176399/ex-inmate-snitch-lied-in-fla-missing.html#storylink=misearch

Posted on Thursday, 01.10.13

Ex-inmate: snitch lied in Fla. missing child case

By CURT ANDERSON
AP Legal Affairs Writer

MIAMI -- A former prison inmate says the star prosecution witness against a woman accused of killing Florida foster child Rilya Wilson made up a story that the woman had confessed to the slaying.

Cindy McCloud testified Thursday that key witness Robin Lunceford told her she lied about the confession so she could get out of prison. Lunceford testified earlier that 66-year-old Geralyn Graham admitted smothering Rilya with a pillow and disposing of the girl's body near water. Rilya's remains have never been found.

::snipping2::

[sharon]

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Judge-Denies-Acquittal-in-Geralyn-Graham-Trial-186189152.html

By Ari Odzer
Wednesday, Jan 9, 2013  |  Updated 7:26 PM EST

Judge Denies Acquittal in Geralyn Graham Trial
Circuit Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez ruled Wednesday there was sufficient evidence for a jury to decide the fate of 66-year-old Geralyn Graham.

A judge has denied a defense motion to acquit a South Florida woman accused of killing 4-year-old foster child Rilya Wilson over a decade ago.

Circuit Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez ruled Wednesday there was sufficient evidence for a jury to decide the fate of 66-year-old Geralyn Graham. Defense attorneys had argued that there's no direct evidence that Rilya is dead because no remains were recovered and there's little other forensic or eyewitness evidence.

Rilya disappeared in late 2000 but state officials did not find out for some 15 months. The state's case hinges on testimony of three jailhouse informants who say Graham confessed to them behind bars.

 ::snipping2::

[sharon]

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/15/3184104/defense-rests-in-case-of-missing.html#storylink=misearch

Posted on Tuesday, 01.15.13

Defense rests in case of missing Fla. foster child

The Associated Press

MIAMI -- The defense has rested in the case of a South Florida woman accused of killing her 4-year-old foster child more than 10 years ago.

Lawyers for 67-year-old Geralyn Graham on Tuesday focused on attacking the credibility of three jailhouse informants who implicated Graham in the Rilya Wilson's killing. Also testifying for the defense were corrections officials who say star prosecution witness Robin Lunceford was given preferential treatment behind bars.

Lunceford also got a life prison sentence reduced to just 10 years in exchange for her testimony that Graham confessed.

 ::snipping2::

[sharon]

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/Closing-Arguments-Tuesday-in-Rilya-Wilson-Murder-trial-187869021.html


Closing Arguments Tuesday in Rilya Wilson Murder Trial
Jury deliberations expected to begin Wednesday
Tuesday, Jan 22, 2013  |  Updated 9:13 AM EST

Closing arguments are set in the trial of a South Florida woman accused of killing 4-year-old foster child Rilya Wilson in a case that shook up the state child welfare system.
 
Prosecutors and defense attorneys are scheduled Tuesday to make their cases before jurors following some eight weeks of trial. If convicted, 67-year-old Geralyn Graham faces a potential life prison sentence.

 ::snipping2::

[sharon]

Posted on Tuesday, 01.22.13

Prosecutor: Fla. foster girl killed by caretaker

By CURT ANDERSON
AP Legal Affairs Writer

MIAMI -- A Florida prosecutor says the caretaker of foster child Rilya Wilson grew to hate the little girl because of defiant behavior and killed her in 2000.

Prosecutor Joshua Weintraub told jurors in closing arguments Tuesday that they can convict 67-year-old Geralyn Graham of murder even though Rilya's body was never found. She faces life in prison if convicted.

 ::snipping2::

Edit to add link provided by sharon.    MB 
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/22/3194752/prosecutor-fla-foster-girl-killed.html#storylink=misearch

[sharon]

Posted on Tuesday, 01.22.13

Prosecutor: Fla. foster girl killed by caretaker

By CURT ANDERSON
AP Legal Affairs Writer

MIAMI -- A Florida prosecutor says the caretaker of foster child Rilya Wilson grew to hate the little girl because of defiant behavior and killed her in 2000.

Prosecutor Joshua Weintraub told jurors in closing arguments Tuesday that they can convict 67-year-old Geralyn Graham of murder even though Rilya's body was never found. She faces life in prison if convicted.

 ::snipping2::

sorry - link for above

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/22/3194752/prosecutor-fla-foster-girl-killed.html#storylink=misearch

[sharon]

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Jury-Likely-to-Get-Rilya-Wilson-Murder-Case-188029841.html


Defense Finishes Closing Arguments in Rilya Wilson Case
Jury deliberations were expected to begin Thursday
Wednesday, Jan 23, 2013  |  Updated 6:09 PM EST

After an eight-week trial, a jury is close to deliberating the case of a South Florida woman accused of killing foster child Rilya Wilson more than a decade ago.

Defense attorney Michael Matters and prosecutors wrapped up closing arguments.

Jurors were expected to begin deliberations on Thursday. They must decide if 67-year-old Geralyn Graham smothered the 4-year-old girl in 2000 after allegedly abusing her for months.

Graham insists she is innocent. She faces life in prison if convicted.

The case triggered a major scandal at Florida's child-welfare agency because Rilya's disappearance wasn't discovered for 15 months. The case led to resignations and the passage of reform laws.

Rilya's remains have never been found. The state's case rests heavily on jailhouse informants who say Graham confessed to them behind bars.

 ::snipping2::

[sharon]

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/23/3196912/defense-snitch-lied-in-fla-missing.html#storylink=misearch

Posted on Wednesday, 01.23.13

Defense: snitch lied in Fla. missing girl case

By CURT ANDERSON
AP Legal Affairs Writer

MIAMI -- A jailhouse snitch looking for a way out of prison concocted a story about hearing a woman confess to killing a 4-year-old foster child, the woman's defense attorney told a jury Wednesday, seeking to cast doubt on the prosecution's star witness.

Attorney Michael Matters told jurors in a closing argument there were numerous inconsistencies in testimony by Robin Lunceford, a career criminal who said Geralyn Graham tearfully confessed in 2004 to smothering little Rilya Wilson and burying her body over a decade ago.

Lunceford, who has spent more than half of her life behind bars, got a life prison sentence reduced to 10 years in exchange for her testimony. She gets out in 2014.

"I suggest to you that every bit of the story she concocted about my client is absolutely unbelievable," Matters told jurors. "Robin's worked for this. She earned it. She graduated from prison life with a master's of manipulation and a doctorate in deceit."

Graham, 67, faces life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping and aggravated child abuse. Rilya went missing from Graham's home in late 2000 but her disappearance was not noticed by the state Department of Children and Families for 15 months, leading to high-level agency resignations and passage of child welfare reforms.

 ::snipping2::

[sharon]

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/Jury-Begins-Deliberations-in-Rilya-Wilson-Murder-Case-188210451.html

Graham Jury Hung on Murder Charge by 11-1 Vote
Geralyn Graham faces life in prison if convicted in murder of foster child
By Ari Odzer and Brian Hamacher
|  Thursday, Jan 24, 2013  |  Updated 8:25 PM EST

The judge in the Geralyn Graham trial sent jurors home Thursday night after they did not reach a verdict during a long first day of deliberations.

Circuit Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez told jurors to return at 9:15 a.m. Friday.

The jury said earlier Thursday that it was hung on Graham's first-degree murder charge by an 11-1 vote.

Jurors said in a note that they have agreed on the other four counts facing Graham, 67, who is accused of killing foster child Rilya Wilson.

Jurors began their deliberations Thursday morning. Graham faces five charges: one count each of first-degree murder and kidnapping, and three counts of aggravated child abuse.

Prosecutors say Graham, 67, smothered the 4-year-old girl in late 2000 and disposed of her body, which has never been found. Wilson's disappearance was not discovered for 15 months, leading to resignations at the Department of Children and Families and passage of reform laws.

Graham has insisted she's innocent. She faces life in prison if convicted.

Earlier in the afternoon, jurors asked a question that indicated that they were close to finishing their  work.

"If the jury cannot agree on one of the counts but agrees on the other four, are the other four counts vacated?" they asked the judge.

She answered no, saying that each count has its own verdict and is to be treated as such.

 ::snipping2::

[MuffyBee]

Praying there will be justice for Rilya.   

[Amys Sister]

Praying there will be justice for Rilya.   

 

[MuffyBee]

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/state/rilya-wilson-case-geralyn-graham-convicted-of-kidnapping-child-abuse-in-wilsons-disappearance
Rilya Wilson case: Geralyn Graham convicted of kidnapping, child abuse in Wilson's disappearance
A mistrial was declared on a murder charge
January 25, 2013

MIAMI (AP) -- A South Florida woman has been convicted of kidnapping and child abuse in the case of 4-year-old foster child Rilya Wilson, who disappeared more than 12 years ago. A mistrial was declared on a murder charge.

   Jurors said Friday they were unable to resolve their 11-1 split on that murder count against 67-year-old Geralyn Graham. She was convicted of kidnapping and three child abuse counts following an eight-week trial.
 ::snipping2::

[MuffyBee]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/01/25/woman-convicted-missing-girl/1865543/
Woman convicted of abusing, kidnapping missing girl
January 25, 2013

MIAMI (AP) — A former caretaker was convicted Friday of child abuse and kidnapping in a 4-year-old foster child's disappearance more than a decade ago, but a mistrial was declared on a murder charge after jurors were narrowly unable to agree.

Assistant State Attorney Joshua Weintraub said the state would not try Graham a second time for first-degree murder. Graham has long maintained her innocence. Weintraub said the other convictions would likely keep Graham locked up for life even without the murder conviction.

"The fact that they didn't come back on a murder charge doesn't mean that justice was not done for Rilya Wilson," Weintraub told reporters afterward.

Circuit Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez set sentencing for Feb. 12. Graham's attorneys said they planned an appeal and praised the lone juror who held out.
More...