Clickheretouploadyours. On Valentine's Day, it took jurors only 14 minutes to find 61-year-old Donald Smith guilty of kidnapping, raping and murdering 8-year-old Cherish Perrywinkle in 2013. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --A medical examiner who conducted the autopsy on an 8-year-old Florida girl who was abducted, raped and murderedbecame emotional and had to interrupt her testimony at the trial of the man accused of the crime. @ActionNewsJax, Dr. Rao is explaining photos, multiple bruises on Cherish's body. Dr. Valerie Rao performed the autopsy of 8-year-old Cherish Perrywinkle back in 2013, and today, she walked jurors through photos and details of her findings regarding the child's death. Walmart announced they would soon be closing and at that stage none of them had eaten anything. The defense is moving for a judgment of acquittal. There were extensive swabs taken in an effort to match DNA to a suspect, and Nicole Lee, with the Florida Department of Law Enforcements Regional Crime Lab in Jacksonville, says many of those samples did- in fact- point to Smith. @ActionNewsJax, Dr. Rao is being tendered as an expert witness. 2023 Chilling Crimes. 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story", Bipartisan Senate group unveils rail safety bill in response to Ohio derailment, What to know about Shigella bacteria as drug-resistant strain spreads, Top Dems push Fox News to stop promoting "propaganda" about 2020 election, Where things stand in the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial, Watch Live: Closing arguments to begin in double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh. She was alone, under pressure and finding it difficult to manage and couldn't afford to buy them clothes. So on that day, the 21st of June, Rayne wasgettingCherish ready for her trip-things like packing herbags,washing her hair and shewanted to buy her some new clothes. Her injuries revealed defensive wounds which showed this little 67lbs 8 year old girl fought for her life but she was no match for the monster who had kidnapped her. As CrimeOnline previously reported,OnJune 21, 2013,a man approached a single, struggling mother,Reyne Perrywinkle, at the Dollar General store onEdgewood Avenue West in Jacksonville. Her injuries were inflicted before she died. The defense for convicted child killer Donald Smith the man who raped and murdered 8-year-old Cherish Perrywinkle in Jacksonville in 2013 is working to keep him from getting a death . There is no surprise that a man like Donald lies and he told his mother that Cherish followed him out and hopped in the van and he knew then he would already be in trouble due to his previous convictions. Smith, the man accused of the 2013 kidnapping, rape, and murder of 8-year-old Cherish Perrywinkle, decided to turn his back to the screen when autopsy pictures were shown Tuesday. Shortly the recording from the jail will be played. Smith was arrested 10 hours after the child was abducted after his vehicle was spotted by a police officer. Here we have two people who are in a struggle. There were many areas of injury uncovered during the testimony, from scrapes and bruises that Rao believes were the result of Cherish being transported to where her body was found, to ant bites that happened after her death. He had just been released from prison some three weeks earlier. The comments below have not been moderated, by Chilling Crimes The defense called for a mistrial over the interruption in testimony, but the judge denied the motion,Matter tweeted. @ActionNewsJax, Next photos of Cherish's neck are shown. Seeing a skipping and smiling Cherish with an older man would have looked like aregular grandfather andgranddaughter. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Dress that Cherish Perrywinkle was last see in is shown to the jury @FCN2go #DonaldSmith pic.twitter.com/cI1MGK48n0. According to court documents . It was a child that was abducted, it was something that the entire City of Jacksonville was concerned about, she says. Cherish had been strangled with such force that her eyeballs bled-the blood vessels burst in her throat, face and eyes. The next morning, Perrywinkles body was found half-naked and shoved under a fallen tree in a marshy area near Jacksonville. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/MKEFKNzl74, Dr. Rao says Smith has injuries to his private area. Cherish was also raped prior to her death, and Rao says injuries resulting from that were severe. Her injuries revealed defensive wounds which showed this little 67lbs 8 year old girl fou ght for her life but she was no match for the monster who had kidnapped her. On Day 2 in the trial of Donald Smith, many female jurors cried when graphic autopsy photographs of Cherish Perrywinkle were shown in court Tuesday. Donald Smith's trial in the murder of Cherish Perrywinkle is set to begin Monday. Because of the nature of the case. Despite working hundreds of cases, Rao became emotional during her testimony, "I'm sorry I need to take a break," Rao said. The swift guilty verdicts must come as a relieft to the medical examiner who performed an autopsy on the battered body the young girl. @ActionNewsJax, Lee has worked with FDLE for 20 years. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. "In fact, hers was a brutal and tortured death.". Closing arguments are scheduled to begin at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday. At around 7.30pm thatevening, Rayne took Cherish and her two sisters to the DollarGeneralStore on Edgewood Avenue. Donald James Smith, 61, faces the death penalty if he is found guilty of first-degree murder, kidnapping and sexual battery, reported The Washington Post. "I'm sorry I need to take a break" Says Rao. In it, she said she felt like a fool. Rayne would later say shethought it was fine as McDonalds was inside Walmart so really they were notleaving the store and there were plenty of people still around. "Looking at her genital area and her anal area, she had so much trauma, the anatomy was totally. People reports that the defense tried in vain to keep graphic photos taken of the little girl, Cherish Perrywinkle, out of the upcoming trial, but Circuit Judge Mallory Cooper ruled that the jury will be allowed to see them. Cherish was also raped prior to her death, and Rao says injuries resulting from that were severe. Rayne didn't have a lot of details toprovide to the police. However, they never returned. The convicted murderer offered to buy Rayne a dress along with a $150 gift card. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Many female jurors cried as Dr. Valerie Rao, the medical examiner who performed Cherish's autopsy, explained injuries and bruising to Cherish's body, including her neck and face, and pictures of her private parts. Walmart wasclosing and she had ashopping cart full of clothes, no gift card and nosign of Don, his wife or Cherish. Things never get back to the way they were.". Opening statements were held in the trial Monday. There was just one problem with that though. @ActionNewsJax, We are in recess as jurors, and Dr. Rao became emotional while photos of Cherish were shown. On Day 2 in the trial of Donald Smith, many female jurors cried when graphic autopsy photographs of Cherish Perrywinkle were shown in court Tuesday. Wherever Cherish was, it involved water. He picked out some shoes for her to wear, really inappropriate shoes for an eight year old child as they were women's highshoes. During the trial, Cherish's injuries were described and shown to the jury. The man struck up a conversation with Rayne outside the store. Donald Smith asked his attorney if he was allowed to turn around for a photo after court ended for the day. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/CMCaOxtIdj, First witness of today, Jerome Bruton who found a blue stroller on his deceased uncles home. There was nosign of Cherish and the items Rayne had left in the van such as the stroller and items shebought at the Dollar General Store weremissing. When she realised she couldn't afford it, she put it back. She suffered swelling of her brain as a result of lack of oxygen to her brain, and as a result of which, she died, Rao testified. The evidence, some of it. There was nosign of Don or Cherish. It was shown as evidence to the jury during the trial of Donald Smith. After 30 minutes passed and her daughter hadnt returned, Perrywinkle became nervous and called the police. The man, later identified as Smith, first offered to buy the mom a dress. He lured the child away from her mother with the promise of new clothes after overhearing the mother complaining of being unable to afford new dresses for her daughters. Donald Smith was standing trial on charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping and sexual battery. I am listening to testimony while @BethANJax will be live at noon with updates on #DonaldSmith testimony today. @ActionNewsJax, Judge says she is denying the motion for mistrial. February 13, 2018 / 12:38 PM Jury selection for the case that shocked the Jacksonville community and the nation is schedule to begin on February 12. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Rayne reportedly had her head down as she listened to the call from the witness stand. "That's right up my alley, right there, that's my target area." By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Jury asked to be back tomorrow at 9:15. Don wasarrested. Todays testimony was clearly difficult for some of the jurors, with many openly shedding tears as the autopsy photos were put in front of them. Cherish Perrywinkle: What You Need to Know As CrimeOnline previously reported , On June 21, 2013, a man approached a single, struggling mother, Reyne Perrywinkle, at the Dollar General store on Edgewood Avenue West in Jacksonville. video feed below for live video updates from court: please follow Bridgette Matter at @BridgetteANjax, Graphic testimony details moments before Cherish Perrywinkle's death, Florida Senator proposes bill to cancel Democratic Party in state, Georgia star Jalen Carter charged with racing in fatal wreck, Bartram Trail High School girls lacrosse player denied NIL opportunity, PCSO: No charges in case of mail carrier mauled by 5 dogs, Airport Authority discusses bringing new commercial flights to St. Johns County. Rao is visibly shaken as she describes the bruising, scratching and other physical injuries to the body, taking large gulps and appearing watery-eyed as she details the shocking sexual abuse carried out by Cherish's attacker. A Florida man who was convicted of kidnapping, raping and killing 8-year-old Cherish Perrywinkle has been sentenced to death for first degree murder and sexual battery convictions. Cherish's injuries gave aninsight into some of the brutality and horror Donald had inflicted on her. Some potential jurors were visibly shaken in a Jacksonville courtroom, while listening to details regarding the upcoming trial against a Florida man accused of kidnapping, raping, and killing a Florida girl. A series of swabbings were taken, as well as nail scrapings and clippings. "Looking at her genital area and her anal area, she had so much trauma, the anatomy was totally. Because of the nature of the case. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. September 06, 2019, "There's no tragedy in life like the death of a child. When she found out her daughter was dead, she collapsed. There was also DNA evidence. Petechiae are broken blood vessels that occur above where pressure is applied with enough force to keep blood from flowing. When discussing Cherish with his mother, he said"what's her name again?" His DNA was found on and inside Cherish's body and Cherish's DNA was found on his penis. We pay forvideostoo. What she sustained was tremendous force on her neck, such that she basically, she could not breathe. During that time the man introduced himself as Don to Rayne. We are in recess as jurors, and Dr. Rao became emotional while photos of Cherish were shown. Cherish Perrywinkle was abducted, raped and strangled to death Donald Smith, 61, has appeared in court charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and rape of the eight-year-old girl in June. Theyare in our work places, our friendship groups and sometimes even our homes. He has pleaded not guilty. He cannot be filmed or identified. @ActionNewsJax, We cannot show the public the jury, there is a white cloth blocking the cameras view, which explains the white you will at times see on our live stream. "She had so much trauma the anatomy was totally distorted by the injury she suffered," forensic pathologist and Jacksonville chief medical examiner Dr Valerie Rao said as jurors covered and closed their eyes. Security video played in. @ActionNewsJax, Carter says he collected purple flip flops as evidence. Lee is now explaining the analysis she did of #DonaldSmith's DNA. It's hard for everyone in the courtroom to hear about the crimes done against Cherish Perrywinkle. The defense moved for a mistrial based on Raos request, but that was denied by the judge. And now, this sex offender had Cherish. The state rested after playing the recording. He suggested getting food at the McDonalds inside the store and asked for Cherishto accompany him and pick out the food she wanted. The evidence in this case was overwhelming. Defense attorney holds up picture of Cherish Perrywinkle, reminds that this trial will be "emotional, gut-wrenching" @wjxt4 pic.twitter.com/0rXEVvyDG6, Chris Parenteau (@WJXTChris) February 9, 2018. @ActionNewsJax, Dr. Rao asks to take a break seeming overwhelmed by the photos. She got into Don's van. DNA other than Cherishs could not be detected in the oral swab. Todays testimony was clearly difficult for some of the jurors, with many openly shedding tears as the autopsy photos were put in front of them. After waiting for his wife for a few minutes he told Rayne they could meet her at Walmart instead. Yahoo fa parte della famiglia di brand di Yahoo. He claimed hed buy the girls clothing with a gift card. ", The inmate asked Smithif "Cherish had a butt on her. They obtained surveillance footage from Walmart and watched Smith exiting the store with Cherish following closely behind. Shed been badly beaten, raped, and murdered. We did hear from Donald in this case. Smith, the man accused of the 2013 kidnapping, rape, and murder of 8-year-old Cherish. To follow live onTwitter, please follow Bridgette Matter at @BridgetteANjax, LATEST: Graphic testimony details moments before Cherish Perrywinkle's death. Her mother told police Smith offered to buy the family food from a McDonald's inside the store and Cherish followed Smith to get the food. The court was also shown graphic images of the state of the childs body, leading jury members to gasp in horror and break down in tears. @ActionNewsJax, Dr. Rao says Cherish died from asphyxia. The man, later identified as Smith, first offered to buy the moma dress. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. LIST: Six things we learned after two days of the Cherish Perrywinkle trial. Police were clear about one thingthough. All she knew was that she had a badfeeling about him and that he must have taken Cherish. Cherish Perrywinkle was abducted from a Florida Walmart before being sexually assaulted and strangled until her eyes bled by a man who convinced her he was just a Good Samaritan. Jacksonville, FL Editor's note:The details of this testimony can be considered graphic and difficult for some readers. Even after all the horror he inflicted on Cherish the callousness of that statement is strikingandfurther confirms a man like Donald will never change and if giventhe chance will do it again. . Surveillance footage from Walmart shows Perrywinkle, wearing the same dress found near her body, walking out of the store with Smith, a registered sex offender. "Why in the world would he take my little girl?" The same potential juror indicated she wassqueamish about looking at gory photos, while another possible teared up and said she would lose it during a trial involving crimes against a child. taking the girl from her family at a Northside Walmart, environmental factors like the presence of water where the remains were found, SPOTLIGHT: Gate River Run kicks off first weekend in March, Jury visits crime scene before closings at Murdaugh trial, Push to require clergy to report abuse stalls in Mormon Utah, DTE Energy, Consumers Energy face power-outage challenges, You Decide 2023 - The Race For Jacksonville Mayor - Omega Allen Spotlight, You Decide 2023 - The Race For Jacksonville Mayor - Donna Deegan Spotlight, You Decide 2023 - The Race For Jacksonville Mayor - Frank Keasler Spotlight. The force used during the strangulation was so strong that Cherish suffered skin abrasions as well. At times she fought back tears while speaking about the last hours of her daughters life in 2013. @ActionNewsJax, Dr. Rao had to also photograph Donald Smith @ActionNewsJax, While photos of Cherish's private parts were shown, Dr. Rao explained there was only a thin layer of tissue between the two areas. Rayne had $100 but that was to cover clothes, household items and the cost of travelling to the airport the following morning. While preparing to bring out photos taken during that autopsy, State Attorney Melissa Nelson questioned- and Rao confirmed- that they limited the amount of photos they would show, to those which would assist Raos testimony. . This week kicked off the trial for the Florida man accused of kidnapping, raping and murdering Perrywinkle. In this particular case, Rayne made a mistake accepting a lift from Donald and as suchhas paid the ultimate price but there is only one predator to blame here and that is Donald Smith. Cherish's mother later told police she was struggling to buy clothes for her daughters when Smith overheard and offered to buy them for her. Donald James Smith, 61, faces the death penalty if he is found guilty of first-degree murder, kidnapping and sexual battery, reported The Washington Post. People at Walmart would not have been concerned either. Rao says she also examined Smith at the Police Memorial Building, and he had injuries to his penis which related to trauma and were consistent with the timing of Cherishs death. A full profile could not be performed from the vaginal swab, however Smith was not excluded by the results, and Lee testified that- in all- there was still an almost non-existent chance it was anyone other than Smith. Lee says semen was found in Cherishs mouth, vagina, and rectum, and other DNA was recovered from around her neck. Sign up below to be added to our mailing list for the latest news updates, access to exclusive contests, and more! 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