Rashan Maleek Trice sentenced to life in prison for murder of Wynter Cole-Smith – 9&10 News

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

He was also sentenced to 60 to 90 years in prison for the violent attack on Wynter's mother. In July, he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and sexual assault.

On July 2, 2023, Trice assaulted his ex-girlfriend, stabbed her, and kidnapped her daughter, Wynter, from Lansing. Trice then murdered the toddler before resisting arrest and eventually being arrested 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, the Michigan State Police and agents from the FBI.

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

The agency charged Trice in July 2023 with 20 counts related to the incident and subsequent chase after announcing an agreement between the Attorney General, Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy to consolidate the numerous charges into a single indictment.