LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s attorney general has announced 20 charges against the man accused of attacking Wynter Cole Smith’s mother in Lansing and then kidnapping and killing the 2-year-old before his arrest in St. Clair Shores.
The case against Rashad Maleek Trice, 26, of Lansing, was consolidated into one by Attorney General Dana Nessel last week after he had originally been charged with crimes in multiple counties.
In Lansing, on the night of July 2, 2023, Trice is accused of stabbing and sexually assaulting Wynter’s mother, who is also his ex-girlfriend. Police said he kidnapped Wynter at the scene and fled in the mother’s car.
Trice was eventually spotted early the following morning in St. Clair Shores, where he fled police, tried to hit an officer, and ultimately crashed, according to authorities.
Wynter wasn’t in the car at that time, but her body was found three days later in an alley in Detroit.
On Friday, July 21, Nessel announced a new set of charges against Trice:
- First-degree premeditated murder -- a penalty of mandatory life in prison without the possibility of parole.
- Felony murder -- a penalty of mandatory life in prison without the possibility of parole.
- Assault with intent to murder -- a penalty of life in prison.
- Two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduction -- each count has a penalty of life in prison, lifetime sex offender registration, and lifetime electronic monitoring.
- Two counts of kidnapping -- each count has a penalty of life in prison.
- First-degree home invasion -- a 20-year felony.
- Disarming a peace officer -- a 10-year felony.
- Second-degree fleeing and eluding -- a 10-year felony.
- Receiving and concealing stolen property worth between $1,000 and $2,000 -- a five-year felony.
- Receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle -- a five-year felony.
- Unlawfully driving away an automobile -- a five-year felony.
- Assault with a dangerous weapon -- a four-year felony.
- Resisting and obstructing causing injury -- a four-year felony.
- Three counts of resisting and obstructing -- each count is a two-year felony.
- Second-degree domestic violence, second offense -- a one-year misdemeanor.
- Stalking -- a one-year misdemeanor.
Trice is being charged as a fourth-offense habitual offender.
“We have alleged today, and our many charges reflect, a horrific and brutal crime spree from Lansing to Detroit to St. Clair Shores,” Nessel said. “I remain appreciative for the coordination with (Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido, and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy) for their commitment to a singular, victim-centered prosecution that prioritizes and respects the tragic experiences of the surviving victims and the family of Wynter Cole-Smith.”
The previous charges against Trice on the county level will be dropped now that state charges have been filed.
Trice is currently being held at the Newaygo County Jail.