Found Deceased MI - Wynter Cole Smith, 2, kidnapped and murdered, suspect Rasheed Malik Trice, 28, arrested, Lansing, 2 July 2023

[PommyMommy]

JUL 15, 2023

Chefs hold fundraising dinner for parents of Wynter Smith

Saturday, the community gathered to support Wynter Smith's family with a fundraising dinner, which took place inside Triumph Church's east campus location.

www.wxyz.com

[...]

Saturday's fundraiser took place inside Triumph Church's east campus location.

[...]

Wynter's grandfather, Almount Smith Sr., expressed his gratitude for the support "and the love and prayers that been with us from day one."

Sharen Eddings, Wynter grandmother told 7 Action News, “(The event) got me out the house. I been in the house for like a week. So, it just got me out of the house. I just feel better being around so much love.”

She also said she's grateful for the event organizers for coming to them with the idea.

[...]

Hardy said, “Every restaurant we’ve reached out to was like ‘Chef, what we need? We got it.’ Everybody’s been, ya know, receptive of what we’re doing which is great man."

Chef Smith said, "It’s more about acknowledging this child who was taken from us and acknowledging the family and providing that level compassion and support, and I think Detroiters are showing over and over and over that’s a value of the city.”

[...]

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Has this precious little girl been laid to rest? I have not seen any reports about a funeral or burial.

 

[Sundog]

Has this precious little girl been laid to rest? I have not seen any reports about a funeral or burial.

I wonder if her remains have been released to the family yet by the medical examiner. I would think so, but also haven't seen any reports of a funeral or burial.

 

[vls12345]

Only mention I could find (from early this month):

Family honors life of 2-year-old Wynter Cole Smith in Detroit

Family members honored the life of 2-year-old Wynter Cole Smith with a vigil in Detroit.

www.clickondetroit.com

A vigil is being planned for Wynter in Lansing Saturday (July 8), but the family says they’re still planning her funeral arrangements.

 

[PommyMommy]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1681474087850332160

https://twitter.com/x/status/1681324131873169408

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/07/18/hes-going-to-kill-my-babies-wynters-mom-tells-dispatcher/70428648007/

The phone call to the Lansing Police Department late July 2 was urgent, ominous and emotional.

"Please hurry up," a woman told a dispatcher, her voice rising. "I have a 1- and a 2-year-old. He’s going to kill my babies."

Those were the chilling opening words from the mother of Wynter Cole Smith, a 2-year-old girl who, authorities said, had just been kidnapped by the woman's ex-boyfriend, Rashad Trice,

A recording of the 911 call that launched the frantic manhunt for the 26-year-old, days before the child was found dead in Detroit, captures the harrowing moments immediately after the mother's assault and the abduction...

 

[PommyMommy]

JUL 19, 2023

911 call made the night of Wynter Cole-Smith’s kidnapping

FOX 47 News obtained the recording of the 911 call Wynter Cole-Smith’s mom made right before the toddler was kidnapped.

www.wxyz.com

“Her boyfriend is trying to kill her and her babies,” the bystander said. “I was sitting in my car, and she came over, and she was bloody, and she had a knife with her, and I told her to drop the knife and get in.”

After making the 911 call, Wynter’s mom left the bystander to get additional help.

“She’s running inside her mom’s house now,” the bystander said.

 

[PommyMommy]

JUL 20, 2023

WATCH: Man accused of kidnapping Lansing 2-year-old to appear in court for probable cause hearing

This will be his second probable cause hearing.

www.wilx.com

The man accused of kidnapping and killing 2-year-old Wynter Smith is expected to be in court Thursday for a probable cause hearing.

[...]

He is expected in court on July 20 at 8:30 a.m.

 

[PommyMommy]

JUL 20, 2023

Man accused of kidnapping 2-year-old Wynter Cole Smith appears in court

The man accused of kidnapping 2-year-old Wynter Cole Smith and assaulting the child’s mother appeared in court.

www.clickondetroit.com

[...]

Rashad Maleek Trice, 26, of Detroit, made a brief appearance in court on Thursday, July 20. He is facing charges in Ingham County linked to the attack on Wynter’s mother, charges in Macomb County for fleeing St. Clair Shores police, and federal kidnapping charges.

[...]

Trice is due back in court in September.

 

[PommyMommy]

Now we're talkin!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1682525893367832581

JUN 21, 2023

Man faces 20 charges in kidnapping, death of Michigan 2-year-old

Rashad Trice, the man accused of kidnapping and killing Wynter Smith, is facing 20 new charges, including murder, and faces the possibility of life in prison.

www.wndu.com

The new charges were announced Friday afternoon. Trice faces:

• One Count First Degree Premeditated Murder, a mandatory life-sentence felony without the possibility of parole;
• One Count Felony Murder, a mandatory life-sentence felony without the possibility of parole;
• One Count Assault with Intent to Murder, a life-sentence felony;
• Two Counts 1st Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, a life-sentence felony that would mandate lifetime sex offender registration and electronic monitoring;
• Two Counts Kidnapping, a life-sentence felony;
• One Count Home Invasion, first degree, a 20-year felony;
• One Count Disarming a Peace Officer, a 10-year felony;
• One Count 2nd Degree Fleeing and Eluding, a 10-year felony;
• One Count Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property, valued between $1,000-$2,000, a 5-year felony;
• One Count Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property, motor vehicle, a 5-year felony;
• One Count Unlawfully Driving Away an Automobile, a 5-year felony;
• One Count Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, a 4-year felony;
• One Count Resisting and Obstructing Causing Injury, a 4-year felony;
• Three Counts Resisting and Obstructing, a 2-year felony;
• One Count Second Degree Domestic Violence - Second Offense, a 1-year misdemeanor; and,
• One Count Stalking, a 1-year misdemeanor.

 

[PommyMommy]

JUL 21, 2023

Murder among new charges against Lansing man in the tragic death of 2-Year-Old Wynter Cole-Smith

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that Rashad Maleek Trice is being charged with One-Count First Degree Pre-meditated Murder and One-Count Felony Murder in the alleged kidnapping and murder of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith

www.audacy.com

[...]

Trice faces a lengthy list of state charges in the tragic murder of Wynter Cole-Smith, the violent assault of her mother and the ensuing police pursuit that began in Lansing July 2nd and ended in St. Clair Shores on July 3rd.

Trice also faces two federal charges, Kidnapping and Kidnapping Resulting in Death. If convicted, the federal charges could result in the death penalty.

[...]

Charges previously announced against Trice by county prosecutors will be dropped now that state charges have been filed by the Attorney General.

By consolidating the prosecution, the Department hopes to minimize traumatizing effects of multiple trials and obligations that could be brought on the family of Cole-Smith and her mother, surviving victims and witnesses.

[...]

 

[imstilla.grandma]

"We have alleged today, and our many charges reflect, a horrific and brutal crime spree from Lansing to Detroit to St. Clair Shores," Nessel said in a statement Friday.

The charges authorized Friday mark the first state murder charges leveled against Trice, who is also facing federal charges of kidnapping and kidnapping causing death.

Trice, who is being housed at the Newaygo County jail, initially faced charges in multiple different counties before Nessel reached an agreement with county prosecutors last week to consolidate the cases in Lansing. The single prosecution will streamline the process and make it easier for family, law enforcement and witnesses to participate in the proceedings.

Trice is charged as a 4th offense habitual offender.

Charges formerly filed by Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane and Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido will be withdrawn in lieu of the prosecution being led by the attorney general's office.

Federal prosecutors have argued Trice kidnapped and fled with Wynter as “retaliation” for a fight that took place between him and the girl's mother. A 1-year-old also was at the scene at the time, authorities said.

He has a violent criminal past that includes domestic violence, assault, and resisting and obstructing police in at least five Michigan counties, court records show.

Monroe County court records reviewed by The Detroit News show Trice was charged with assaulting Wynter's mother and for resisting, obstructing or assaulting police in May 2021. He was convicted in 2022.

Records show that Trice was sentenced to 224 days in jail for the Monroe County charges.

Michigan Department of Corrections records also indicate Trice was supposed to be on probation through Jan. 27, 2024.

Homicide charges filed in death of 2-year-old Wynter Cole Smith

Attorney General Nessel filed homicide charges against a 26-year-old Lansing man accused of kidnapping and strangling 2-year-old Wynter Cole Smith.

www.detroitnews.com

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Thanks for the updates. Too bad Michigan doesn't have the DP. Trice more than qualifies.

 

[PommyMommy]

JUL 25, 2023

Feds indict man accused in Wynter Cole Smith's kidnapping, death

Tuesday's filing for Rashad Trice 'satisfies the defendant’s constitutional right to federal indictment by a grand jury,' the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan said.

www.detroitnews.com

"Today’s action satisfies the defendant’s constitutional right to federal indictment by a grand jury," said the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan in a statement.

If convicted of kidnapping resulting in death, the 26-year-old faces a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison and is eligible for the death penalty, according to the release.

Mother’s ex-boyfriend indicted in kidnapping, death of 2-year-old girl

Rashad Maleek Trice, 26, faces two federal and 20 state charges in kidnapping, death of Wynter Cole-Smith.

www.mlive.com

Rashad Maleek Trice, 26, was indicted by a grand jury on one count of kidnapping resulting in death and one count of kidnapping a minor, according to a news release from the office of U.S. Attorney Mark Totten.

 

[PommyMommy]

JUL 25, 2023

Wynter Wonderland Memorial on Detroit's east side needs your help​

[...]

Oliver Gantt is spearheading the project. He says it will symbolize Wynter's spirit forever.

"This is not an area where you will see people just driving by and taking a look at things. So building Wynter Wonderland right here will do a lot for the community, a lot for the healing and the family," said Gantt, the founder of Thousand Strong.

"What is going to be the biggest takeaway?" 7 Action News said.

"I think Wynter Wonderland is going to bring vibrancy to a dark place," Gantt said.

Grantt has also petitioned to change the name of Erwin Street to Wynter Cole-Smith. It's something Smith is looking forward to seeing.

[...]

"If you could say something to Wynter, what would it be?" 7 Action News said.

"All I can think is I wish she could grab my beard one more time before she goes to sleep," Smith [Wynter's grandfather] said.

[...]

 

[Sundog]

JUL 25, 2023

Wynter Wonderland Memorial on Detroit's east side needs your help​

"If you could say something to Wynter, what would it be?" 7 Action News said.

"All I can think is I wish she could grab my beard one more time before she goes to sleep," Smith [Wynter's grandfather] said.

[...]

<snipped for focus>

What a deep love Wynter's grandfather had, and has, for her. And such a beautiful memory.

 

[PommyMommy]

Trice Indicted For Kidnapping Resulting In Death And Kidnapping A Minor In Wynter Cole-Smith Case. Read the full press release: https://justice.gov/usao-wdmi/pr/2023_0726_Rashad_Trice_Indictment…

https://twitter.com/x/status/1684580936099176448

 

[JerseyGirl]

'Staggering' evidence: Rashad Maleek Trice to face trial in Wynter Cole-Smith kidnapping

During his arraignment hearing Monday, Trice pleaded not guilty to a pair of federal charges for allegedly kidnapping 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith.

www.freep.com

Rashad Maleek Trice, 26, will face a federal jury trial for a pair of charges in connection to the kidnapping and death of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith, after pleading not guilty to both counts during his arraignment hearing in Grand Rapids on Monday.

 

[PommyMommy]

AUG 7, 2023

Rashad Trice pleads not guilty in Wynter Cole-Smith case

Rashad Trice, the man accused in the kidnap and murder of two-year-old Wynter Cole Smith, was arraigned in federal court on Monday in Grand Rapids.

www.cbsnews.com

U.S. Attorney Mark Totten spoke with reporters after the arraignment.

"My office is fully prepared to do everything necessary to establish the facts beyond a reasonable doubt that is necessary to prove these charges," Totten said. "We will always do everything we can to protect children in these cases and ensure that people are held accountable."

Totten was joined Monday by Special Agent in Charge Devin Kowalski. He reiterated the FBI's commitment to supporting the prosecution.

"Wynter's fate brings unimaginable grief to her loved ones, and the grief is shared by the community and those of us in law enforcement. But for us, our sadness is outmatched by our commitment, focus and resolve on supporting the prosecution," Kowalski said.

Michigan man pleads not guilty to kidnapping Lansing toddler

A Lansing man accused of kidnapping and killing Wynter Cole-Smith, 2, in early July is slated to be arraigned Monday.

wwmt.com

Federal prosecutors also told the judge on Monday morning that they hoped to discuss a personal protection order, more commonly known as a restraining order, though it is unclear who the PPO would be for.

 

[PommyMommy]

AUG 15, 2023

Wynter Cole Smith’s official cause of death released

The Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office released her cause of death to News 10 through the Freedom of Information Act.

www.wilx.com

The autopsy of Wynter Cole Smith was released Tuesday afternoon.

[...]

The Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office released her cause of death to News 10 through the Freedom of Information Act.

According to the Interim Chief Medical Examiner, Lokman Sung, Wynter’s death was caused by ligature strangulation. It is still unclear on when exactly the 2-year-old died.

Sung said a pink electrical cord was wrapped seven times around her neck. After removing the cord, her neck had ligature grooves.

[...]