LANSING, Mich. — The man accused of kidnapping and killing 2-year-old Wynter Cole-smith over the summer will stand trial on the state level.
Wynter was found dead near a Detroit alley with a cord around her neck on July 5, investigators say. She was found after the suspect, 26-year-old Rashad Trice, reportedly stabbed the child’s mother and took off in her car with the toddler.
We’re told Wynter was found after a police pursuit stretched from Lansing to St. Clair Shores.
Trice was previously bound over on the federal level.
Tuesday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Trice waived his right to a preliminary hearing. He will be tried on the following 20 charges:
- First-degree premeditated murder (x1)
- Felony murder (x1)
- Assault with intent to murder (x1)
- First-degree criminal sexual conduct (x2)
- Kidnapping (x2)
- First-degree home invasion (x1)
- Disarming a peace officer (x1)
- Second-degree fleeing and eluding (x1)
- Receiving and concealing stolen property valued between $1,000–$2,000 (x1)
- Receiving and concealing stolen property (x1)
- Unlawfully driving away in an automobile (x1)
- Assault with a dangerous weapon (x1)
- Resisting and obstructing causing injury (x1)
- Resisting and obstructing (x3)
- Domestic violence, second offense (x1)
- Stalking (x1)
"Today’s development moves our prosecution closer to presenting evidence in open court and proving these charges beyond a reasonable doubt,” says Nessel. “Trice will stand trial facing 20 charges, including seven potential life-sentence offenses.”
Trice’s next court date has not been set. He is currently lodged at the Newaygo County Jail.
READ MORE: Man accused of kidnapping, murdering Lansing toddler will not face death penalty
READ MORE: Vigil for Wynter Cole-Smith held at the state Capitol
