GUILTY FL - Rilya Wilson, 5, Miami, 18 Jan 2001

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Jailhouse Informant In Rilya Wilson Trial Stands By Story

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012/12/20/jailhouse-informant-cross-examined-in-rilya-wilson-trial/

MIAMI (CBSMiami) — The trial of Geralyn Graham for the death of foster child Rilya Wilson has recessed until the new year as of Thursday evening.

Robin Lunceford, a jailhouse informant, took the stand again Thursday for cross-examination in the murder trial of Geralyn Graham, accused of killing foster child Rilya Wilson.............

Lunceford will be back on the stand for more cross-examination starting at 10 a.m. on January 2, 2013.

A day earlier, state prosecutors said she had not been offered a plea and was convinced by her defense attorney who made her feel guilty because a child had been killed...................

Lunceford testified Wednesday that 66-year-old Graham told her while both were in jail that she smothered the 4-year-old girl with a pillow because Rilya was evil and mentally troubled. She also said Graham confessed to her that she disposed of the body near water.

“She whispered to me that she walked up to it (Rilya) and smothered it with a pillow,” Lunceford said in testimony Wednesday.

Lunceford said she took notes of her 2004 talk with Graham and read back parts of it to the jury which included, “She wants them to find the grave so it can be over. It’s eating her up inside.”

Lunceford continued saying Graham told her she gave Rilya “a proper burial in an area that was familiar to her, where Pam used to go fishing…that she buried it by the water because it represented peace.”...............more at link..........
 
Jailhouse Informant Completes Testimony During Graham Trial

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/01/0...ony-to-resume-after-jailhouse-informant-lost/

MIAMI (CBSMiami) — Jailhouse informant Robin Lunceford tearfully replied to the questions posed by a state prosecutor Thursday as she described how difficult her life behind bars became ever since she turned into a key informant in the state’s case against accused child killer Geralyn Graham.

“I was tired. I wanted to be left alone,” Lunceford said in between tears. “I wanted to do the right thing and leave me alone and it never stopped.”...................

In a telephone jailhouse interview with CBS4 News in May of 2005, Lunceford said Graham had told her that she had buried the child near a lake so that it would “cleanse her soul.”

Jurors also heard a redacted portion of that interview Thursday afternoon.

Lunceford who has been convicted of multiple armed robberies has traded her testimony for a lighter prison sentence from life to 10 years. It’s a fact that defense attorneys argued Wednesday made Lunceford less credible.

More at link.......
 
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

http://www.local10.com/news/2nd-jai...ase/-/1717324/18011812/-/sqifk9z/-/index.html
 
State Wraps Case In Geralyn Graham Child Murder Case

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/state-may-wrap-case-in-geralyn-graham-missing-child-case/

MIAMI (CBSMiami) — Following 20 days of testimony against accused child murderer Geralyn Graham, the state announced Tuesday afternoon that it was resting its case...............

And while Rilya Wilson’s body has never been found, the state is hoping jurors believe the testimony from three jailhouse informants who are serving time for committing violent crimes.

A third jailhouse informant took the stand Tuesday morning and told jurors that when she was assigned to share a cell with accused child murderer Geralyn Graham she overheard her make incriminating statements.

Graham, 66, remained stoic as convicted murderer Ramona Tavia shared details about the night in 2003 when they shared a cell. Tavia said Graham appeared to be sobbing uncontrollably and kept saying that “she had to protect Pam and kill the baby for Pam. Pam is sick. Pam is weak.”...............

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 will testify. She insists she is innocent and has claimed Rilya was taken from her home in early 2001 by a state child welfare worker who never returned her. Investigators say there’s no evidence to back that up...............more at link.......
 
Defense Lays Out Its Case In Geralyn Graham Child Murder Case
1/8/13

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/01/09/defense-to-begin-in-geralyn-graham-child-murder-case/

MIAMI (CBSMiami) — Defense attorneys for Geralyn Graham, the woman accused of killing missing 4-year-old foster child Rilya Wilson, argued for an acquittal of all charges in her case Wednesday morning based on the fact that Rilya’s body has never been found.

“There has to be proof that it happened,” Defense attorney Scott Sakin told Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez.

Judge Mendez, however, denied the motion saying there was sufficient circumstantial and direct evidence to bring the case before a jury.

Wednesday, the defense called Miami-Dade Corrections Sgt. Rene Vila to the stand. Attorneys called into question the credibility of jailhouse snitch Ramona Tavia who claims she shared a cell where Graham allegedly confessed to killing Rilya. Defense attorneys presented jail records that showed Tavia and Graham never shared a cell. But on cross-examination, Vila said the records are not always perfectly accurate.

The defense is also expected to call police investigators who have already testified that they never found Rilya’s remains or any other forensic evidence.

More at link.........
 
Bombshell In Defense Of Child Murder Suspect Geralyn Graham
1/10/13

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/01/10/new-testimony-thursday-in-geralyn-graham-child-murder-case/

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – In bombshell testimony for the defense, a former inmate testified Thursday that two of the state’s key witnesses worked together to make up stories about Geralyn Graham’s alleged confessions.

Cindy McCloud, who was serving time for drug-related charges, said that during her time in prison she befriended Robin Lunceford and Maggie Carr. McCloud told jurors that Lunceford, an inmate and the state’s star witness, had told her that her testimony was “all lies.”..............

McCloud also implicated Carr who also testified against Graham. She said Carr had asked Lunceford, who is in prison for multiple violent armed robberies, to bring her in on her plea deal. Lunceford’s life sentence was reduced to 10 years in exchange for her testimony.............

More at link.....
 
Remember I Love You Always
Rilya

picture.php
 
State Presents Rebuttal Case In Graham Murder Trial

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/01/16/state-rebuttal-phase-to-begin-in-graham-murder-trial/

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Prosecutors presented their rebuttal case Wednesday in the trial of Geralyn Graham who is accused of murdering 4-year-old foster child Rilya Wilson more than a decade ago.

The first witness prosecutors called to the stand was jailhouse informant Maggie Carr who earlier testified that Graham had made incriminating remarks about her case.............

State prosecutors also called Florida Department of Corrections Investigator Angelique Munnerlyn whose testimony attempted to discredit the testimony by defense witness Cindy McCloud.

Munnerlyn, the prison inspector, helped bolster the suggestion by the state that McCloud and Lunceford were lovers and that McCloud testified out of spite after their split............

The jury did not hear directly from Graham. On Monday, Graham told Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez that she did not wish to testify.

More at link.....
 
Prosecutor: Fla. foster girl killed by caretaker

http://www.centurylink.net/news/rea...org>&news_id=19272370&src=most_popular_viewed

MIAMI (AP) — The caretaker of foster child Rilya Wilson grew to hate the 4-year-old because of defiant behavior, finally smothering the girl with a pillow in 2000 and covering up the slaying with a web of lies, a Florida prosecutor told a jury Tuesday.

Assistant State Attorney Joshua Weintraub said in closing arguments that the law permits the jury to find 67-year-old Geralyn Graham guilty of first-degree murder even though Rilya's body was never found. Graham, who insists she is innocent, faces life in prison if convicted.

Evidence and testimony during the eight-week trial showed that Graham abused Rilya, even confining the girl in a dog cage or keeping her hidden in a laundry room for hours, Weintraub said. It was all because Rilya wouldn't do exactly as Graham ordered, the prosecutor said................

Defense attorney Michael Matters, however, said there was little testimony about hatred or maliciousness toward Rilya on the part of Graham. Jurors ought to focus on what evidence the state did not have, he said.

"Lack of physical evidence. Lack of a body. Lack of any physical discovery of remains. Lack of a motive for killing her," Matters said. "You should use your common sense."

Jurors are likely to begin deliberations Wednesday, after the defense finishes its closing arguments and prosecutors have a chance at rebuttal argument............

Weintraub told jurors that Graham made up a series of stories for friends who noticed Rilya was no longer at her home, including a claim that an unidentified DCF worker had taken the girl for mental tests and never returned her. At other times, she told friends Rilya was on trips to Disney World, New York or New Jersey. .............

"Lies, deceit and cover-up," the prosecutor said. "It's all lies to distract them from the horrible truth of what happened."

Sitting in the courtroom Tuesday was Pamela Kendrick, who was Rilya's foster parent until DCF removed the girl in April 2000 at Graham's insistence. Weintraub said witnesses from those days remember a happy little girl who loved dolls and was doing well in preschool..............

More at link......
 
By one vote, the jury is deadlocked on the murder charge against the Kendall woman accused of murdering foster child Rilya Wilson.

Jurors, in a note to the judge Thursday afternoon, said they are deadlocked by a vote of 11-1 in the murder count against Geralyn Graham.

The note also said that the jury has reached verdicts in the other charges of aggravated child abuse and kidnapping. Not wanting to declare a mistrial just yet, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez instructed jurors to keep deliberating through dinner until at least about 8 p.m.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/23/3197172/jury-on-thursday-to-deliberate.html#storylink=cpy
 
:pray:

please let this jury do right by this child.
 
Jurors in missing girl case stuck on murder count

http://www.centurylink.net/news/rea...ass&action=2&lang=en&_LT=UNLC_USNWU00L2_UNEWS

............The jury said in a note Thursday afternoon they had voted 11-1 on the murder charge against 67-year-old Geralyn Graham, a charge that carries a potential life sentence. The note did not say which side had the majority or what the verdicts were on kidnapping and aggravated child abuse charges, which carry less severe sentences.

After more than three additional hours of deliberations, Circuit Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez ordered the panel to return Friday morning to continue.

The jury could opt for a less severe manslaughter charge rather than murder. All verdicts must be unanimous.

More at link............
 
Bless this judge.

Come on Jury, you can do this, look at all the evidence. All the lies, the differing descriptions of who this B claims took this baby, the testimony about witnessed abuse.

:pray:
 
Woman convicted of abuse, kidnap of missing girl

http://www.centurylink.net/news/rea...ass&action=1&lang=en&_LT=UNLC_USNWU00L1_UNEWS

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.

The 12-person jury said early on they were split 11-1 on whether 67-year-old Geralyn Graham killed Rilya Wilson and could not persuade the holdout over two days of deliberations. The murder charge carried a potential life sentence, while the charges on which Graham was convicted carry potential sentences of at least 30 years behind bars.

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 at link.....
 
May you rest a little easier, Rilya, in the arms of the Father who loves and cares for you tenderly.....the demon who took you by fraud from a good, happy home will pay for the abuse you suffered at her evil hands and will pay for your murder, IMO, with many years of confinement....
 
I am sad that they could not convict her for murder but thankful that at least she will spend a good long time behind bars.

RIP sweetie pea
 
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