Man sentenced for death of Lansing toddler

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — A 27-year-old has been sentenced for the 2023 murder of a Lansing toddler.

On Friday, Rashad Trice was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for the 2023 murder of 2-year-old Wynter Smith.

Wynter’s grandfather gave an emotional statement saying, “I don’t hate you, I hate what you’ve done,” speaking directly to Trice.

When asked to speak, Trice said no.

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.

“Nothing can bring Wynter back, but I hope knowing that Mr. Trice will spend the rest of his life behind bars, without the need for a lengthy trial, offers some solace to her loved ones,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “Thanks to the tireless work of law enforcement and prosecutors in my office, the man responsible for these horrific acts will never again endanger our communities.”

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.

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

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