Mich. man accused of killing Wynter Cole-Smith charged with murder, 19 other counts

LANSING, Mich. (TCD) -- The Michigan Attorney General’s Office has announced several charges against the 26-year-old man accused of attacking his ex-girlfriend, kidnapping her 2-year-old daughter, and killing the child.

In a statement, Attorney General Dana Nessel said her office was charging Rashad Maleek Trice with first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder, assault with intent to murder, two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of kidnapping, and several other counts in connection with the death of Wynter Cole-Smith. The premeditated murder, felony murder, assault with intent to murder, and criminal sexual conduct all come with a life sentence if convicted.

On the evening of July 2, Trice allegedly assaulted and stabbed Wynter’s mother in her Lansing apartment. The mother called for help and Trice fled with Wynter. A manhunt ensued for Trice as investigators searched via ground and sky for the girl. Police located Trice about 90 miles away in St. Clair Shores the next day, but Wynter was nowhere to be found.

Then, on July 5, investigators found Wynter’s body in a Detroit alley near the Coleman A. Young International Airport.

Due to the fact that the alleged crimes occurred in multiple counties, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office took over the case and consolidated it to "minimize the traumatizing effect that multiple trials and obligations to testify would necessitate on witnesses, surviving victims, and all loved ones of Cole-Smith and her mother."

MORE:

• Lansing Man Faces 20 Charges, Life in Prison for Murder, Kidnap of 2-Year-Old Wynter Cole-Smith - Michigan Attorney General's Office
• Attorney General Nessel to Prosecute Charges Against Rashad Maleek Trice - Michigan Attorney General's Office
• Mich. man arrested for allegedly stabbing ex, kidnapping her 2-year-old daughter who remains missing, 7/5/2023 - TCD 
• Missing 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith found dead near Detroit airport after kidnapping, 7/6/2023 - TCD