The Florida court is finally releasing its verdict on the case of an eight-year-old girl who got raped and murdered at Jacksonville Walmart almost 10 years ago.
The court will hear arguments that, if at all, the accused should be provided with a new trial for his death sentence.
On June 2013, Donald Smith was found guilty of the heinous crime that sent shock waves across Jacksonville and was announced a death row by a special bench of the jury in 2018. However, Smith will be provided in front of the Florida court later this week with a new judgment on his crime.
How Did Donald Strangle Cherish?
Smith was found guilty of raping the young girl, strangling her, and dumping her body in a stream. Apparently, a victim of the abuse, Cherish Perrywinkle, was gagged, choked, and sodomized before Donald strangled her to death. According to the attorney Nelson, Cherishβs final few hours were the most painful for her, as it was reported that she was gagged with such force by Donald that her gums and nostrils bled.
Cherishβs concerned mother shared that while she was shopping with her three children at Family Dollar, a man named Smith had been following them.
The mother noted that Smith was kind enough to offer assistance when she was having trouble paying for their items. Smith suggested they go to a nearby Walmart, where he had a gift card and could purchase clothing for the girls.
What Really Happened?
Donald, who seemed like a nice guy, was just trying to be generous with Cherishβs mother, and her two other kids eventually had grave plans underneath his fake personality.
Cherishβs mother said in the court that Donaldβs first appearance seemed like he was somebody they could trust, as he even kept reminding them he was βsafe.β When Donald saw Cherishβs mother struggling to pay for a few items at Walmart, he willingly offered to help them, even offering them a treat at the nearest Mcdonald’s. That’s how he lured the poor family into thinking he was just a safe man, trying to be generous to the young girls.
That’s when Donald tries to lure Cherish’s mother even more when he offers them that he would like to buy the girls clothes, and eventually abducts Cherish and takes her away in his van. All Along, the mother of three never doubted Donaldβs intentions and thought he was genuine.
CCTV footage revealed Chersh walking away with Donald just a few minutes prior to her abduction.
The next day, Cherishβs half-naked, severely injured body was found in Jacksonville under a fallen tree. Cherishβs mother was devastated after knowing Donaldβs true intentions, and in fact, in her 911 recorded phone call, she hoped that Donald doesn’t kill her daughter.
Did Cherishβs Mother, Rayne, Sold Her to Donald?
As if the grave news wasn’t enough already, instead of sympathizing with her, people started to accuse her of her daughterβs brutal killing.
Some people were quick to judge that Rayne actually sold Cherish to Donald, accusing that the two were in a relationship. Rayne was also accused of being involved in human trafficking and that she sold her daughter to her lover for a gift card.
However, Rayne has always refuted such claims, stating that these cheap remarks, indeed, held no truth and that these were just baseless rumors. Smith was later charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, and rape. If convicted, he will face a possible death sentence.
It’s been almost a decade since the horrific incident happened, and eight-year-old Cherish still seeks justice. It’s cruel to even think of any other possibility other than Donald being punished for his evil act.
We hope justice is served to the little girl who had to suffer for no fault of hers. For more updates on the story, keep an eye on this corner!
