Trice pleads guilty to murder, sexual assault

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Rashad Maleek Trice has entered a guilty plea in Ingham County Circuit Court to one count of murder and one count of sexual assault in the kidnapping and murder of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith and the “violent” assault of her mother.

That’s from the Office of the Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Trice, 27, was the subject of a massive manhunt from Lansing to Detroit last year after he assaulted Cole-Smith’s mother and kidnapped the toddler. The toddler was found in Detroit on July 5 — three days after she was taken from a Lansing apartment.

He was originally charged by the Office of the Attorney General Dana Nessel with 20 criminal allegations including assault with intent to murder, two counts of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree, home invasion in the first degree, unlawful imprisonment, aggravated domestic violence (second offense), unlawful driving away of an automobile, and felonious assault. Nessel took over the case by agreement from prosecutors in Ingham, Macomb and Wayne Counties.

In a news release announcing the plea deal, Nessel’s office described Trice’s crimes as follows:

On July 2, 2023, Trice sexually assaulted and stabbed his former girlfriend and kidnapped her daughter, Wynter, from Lansing. Trice then murdered the toddler before resisting arrest and ultimately being apprehended in St. Clair Shores. Wynter was discovered in a Detroit alley after a three-day search involving multiple law enforcement agencies from Lansing to Detroit, Michigan State Police, and agents from the FBI.

Office the Attorney General Dana Nessel, news release July 1, 2024

“The scars left by Mr. Trice’s horrific and brutal crime spree will forever etch themselves on the lives he shattered,” Nessel said in the news release. “While nothing can ever fully heal the grief of Wynter’s family and loved ones, I hope today’s plea can be a step toward healing.”

U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten obtained a federal indictment against Trice as well. Those charges included kidnapping a minor resulting in death.

Trice faces sentencing in the state case on August 16 in front of Judge Joyce Draganchuk of the 30th Circuit Court in Ingham.

More On This Story

Police release map of route taken by 2-year-old girl’s accused abductor

Missing 2-year-old Lansing girl found dead in Detroit

Nessel announces 20 charges against Trice

Attorney General looking to file murder charge against Trice in toddler’s death

2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith strangled, feds say

Feds charge suspected kidnapper in death of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith

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