A South Florida judge has denied defense motions seeking to toss out a purported confession in the murder case stemming from the 2000 disappearance of 4-year-old Rilya Wilson.
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Marisa Tinkler-Mendez on Wednesday rejected defense claims that the alleged confession should be thrown out because defendant Geralyn Graham did not have a lawyer present. The judge also said she will allow statements Graham made to a police detective.
Graham was the girl's caretaker when she disappeared. She faces a Nov. 5 trial date on murder and other charges.
She has pleaded not guilty but fellow inmate Robin Lunceford says Graham confessed to her. Lunceford will be a key prosecution witness.
Rilya's disappearance wasn't noticed by state child welfare officials for 15 months. Her body has never been found.
