Man pleads guilty to murder in death of 2-year-old Wynter Cole Smith

DETROIT – Rashad Maleek Trice pleaded guilty Monday, July 1, to killing 2-year-old Wynter Cole Smith and the assault of her mother.

The plea comes almost exactly a year after the crime. On July 2, 2023 Trice kidnapped Wynter in Lansing and stabbed and sexually assaulted her mother before stealing her vehicle and killing the toddler. He was arrested in St. Clair Shores just hours after the toddler was kidnapped, but Wynter wasn’t in the car at that time. Law enforcement found Wynter’s body three days later in Detroit amid a search effort.

Police said Trice actively resisted arrest while being taken into custody at the crash scene. He was brought to a nearby hospital to be treated for injuries from the crash, according to officials.

Trice was initially charged with 20 counts in connection with the incident and police pursuit that followed.

He pleaded guilty Monday to first-degree murder and first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Trice will be sentenced Aug. 16. He faces the possibility of life in prison without parole.