Statements by victims at the verdict

INGHAM COUNTY, Michigan. – The man who killed 2-year-old Wynter Cole Smith and attacked her mother in 2023 was sentenced to life in prison on Friday.

Rashad Maleek Trice pleaded guilty to kidnapping Wynter in Lansing and stabbing and sexually assaulting her mother before stealing her vehicle and killing the two-year-old child.

Trice was arrested in St. Clair Shores a few hours after the toddler was abducted. The toddler was not with him at the time. Her body was found three days later in Detroit.

Trice pleaded guilty to first-degree premeditated murder and first-degree sexual abuse on July 1, 2024. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Friday, August 16, 2024.

This is his second guilty plea in the murder case. He previously entered into a plea agreement with federal prosecutors to face kidnapping charges. That agreement carried a mandatory life sentence.

Statements from victims are recorded in the minutes

Several statements from the victims were entered into the record on Friday. Trice declined to make a statement before the verdict was announced.

A statement from Wynter’s maternal grandmother was recorded in the minutes and reads in part:

“I truly wanted the death penalty for Rashad, but I am grateful for the sentence he is receiving today. Rashad has no place in the outside world for the crime he committed. He would only destroy more lives if given the opportunity. I feel in my heart that he truly received justice that day. I could not bear to be there in person. I cannot bear to see his face without reliving that tragic day of horror. I am trying to heal as best I can because the pain of losing my granddaughter and the way she was taken from us is excruciating. I have lost so many sleepless nights being reminded of what he did to my granddaughter and my daughter. Seeing him in person and hearing all he did to her again, I believe, will only slow down the process. So forgive me for not appearing in person today and receiving this written statement. You, Rashad M. Trice, truly deserve the death penalty for intentionally taking the life of Wynter Ava'Mae Cole Smith. You say you're a monster, but a monster is who you are, and don't hide from the dark things you do and create. You are an evil coward and you live like a wild animal. So you should feel at home for the rest of your life. You deserve where you are and where you are going. Wynter did not deserve what you did to her, or her mother. After what you did, you should never be able to be around decent people again. Rot in hell.”

Wynter's maternal grandmother

A statement from Wynter’s paternal grandmother was recorded in the minutes and reads in part:

“The night Wynter disappeared, I turned to social media and the community rallied around us. We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped us in our search for her during this time. You helped me locate and contact your family, and as I spoke to your uncle and later your mother, I gained insight into the environment you grew up in. When I asked your mother if you might have done anything to my granddaughter, I was shocked by her cold, indifferent response. She showed no concern for Wynter, only for you, as if her son's well-being was the only thing that mattered. She acted as if Wynter had kidnapped you and was going to kill you.

“Some people raise their children with love, values ​​and a sense of community. Others, it seems, just raise them to 18 so they can wash their hands of any guilt without teaching them morals, values ​​or consideration for others. It is a 'me first' mentality, a lack of empathy that leads to tragedies like this. Not only did you take Wynter's life that night, you destroyed your future. You sold your soul and if you believe in anything at all, you must know that there is a price to pay for what you did that goes beyond just serving a prison sentence. Wynter was better than you then and she is better than you now. She will always be better than you but it is time for our family to hold our heads up, take a breath and begin the painful process of healing. There is nothing more we can do here, we let nature take its course and let life unfold as it will. We would like to thank the FBI, the various police departments and state authorities who treated us with dignity and respect. While we are not happy with the federal prosecutor's office and particularly their lack of communication, we are grateful for the kindness the state has shown to our family.”

Wynter's paternal grandmother

The statement read on behalf of Wynter’s father, Almount “AJ” Smith, was recorded in the minutes and reads in part:

“What I'm saying is, forget why. You know what you did, why you did it, and why you didn't stop. A sweet, precious life that could have been everything she wanted to be no longer has a chance. Why? Because you thought you were something, but you weren't. You put up with your mistakes and left my daughter alone, never thinking about yours, instead focusing on something she didn't need you for or never bothered you about. You waste space and have never shown aggression towards me, but to think that you and I are on the same level because you laid hands on women is insane. I still remember when you sent me inappropriate pictures and videos of your relationship when I didn't even know your name, and then you had the nerve to text me saying you were a different person and wouldn't hurt my little girl. You're a coward…”

Statement read on behalf of Wynter's father

Wynter’s paternal grandfather made the following statement during the hearing, which reads in part:

“Wynter was my first son and my only grandchild. All I have are memories and pictures of her first day of kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, freshman year of high school, and graduation. She graduated high school to live her life.

“I think the system should not have released you from day one after the incident in Monroe. Where was your parole officer? My understanding is that you and Wynter's mother, Wynter's mother, had an argument two weeks before all this while Wynter was being held. If the police were called, why weren't you in jail?

“I really wish we could have met in November 2022 when I called to pick up Wynter because I think you would have seen what kind of people AJ and I are. I tell my kids it's a small world and you don't know who knows who. If I knew your name we wouldn't be here today. The reason I say I'd like to know your name and you mean it is because I went to school with some of your family members.

“That's all I have to say, but the bottom line is that I've heard people say you're a coward, a monster, a murderer. To me, you're none of those things, to me, there's no word that describes you. I've learned you can't hate anyone. I don't hate you, but I hate what you did. And again, you took someone special from me. My only grandchild. And the way I see it, you've only lived a quarter of your life and you haven't lived life. That's nothing. You've got a long way to go. I pray and pray and hope you get the help you need.”

Statement from Wynter’s paternal grandfather

You can listen to the victims’ full statements in the video player at the top of this article.

—> Full coverage of the murder of Wynter Cole Smith