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Rilya's caregiver pleads not guilty to murder

By wire services
Published March 19, 2005

MIAMI - The caregiver accused of killing foster child Rilya Wilson pleaded innocent Friday to murder, kidnapping and other charges, as her attorney criticized the prosecution's reliance on a jailhouse informer.

Geralyn Graham did not speak at the brief hearing. She entered the courtroom slowly using a walker - to which she was handcuffed - and wearing a dark red jail jumpsuit.

Circuit Judge Daryl Trawick set the trial for June 20.

Prosecutors say Graham told an informer in jail that she murdered the 4-year-old in December 2000 and that investigators have enough corroboration to convict her. The child's body has never been found, and prosecutors acknowledge they have little physical evidence.

After the hearing, Graham's attorney, Brian Tannebaum, called the informer "a jailhouse snitch" who has a long list of previous offenses. "It's utterly unbelievable," Tannebaum said.

Prosecutor Sally Weintraub declined to comment.

Investigators think Rilya died more than two years before child welfare workers noticed she was missing in early 2002. She was supposed to be living at the home shared by Graham and another woman, Pamela Graham, who was Rilya's legal guardian.

Pamela Graham, who pleaded guilty last year to child neglect, is serving a 364-day jail sentence. She is cooperating with investigators.

TALLAHASSEE - Two top officials at financially troubled Florida A&M University have submitted their resignations, the school said Friday.

Larry Reese, the vice president for administrative and financial service, and controller Elwood McElhaney stepped down as interim president Castell Bryant ordered a broad spending moratorium to get the school's finances under control.

Records are so disorganized that auditors can't even determine how much money FAMU may be losing.

McElhaney will leave March 31, and Reese will begin a medical leave Monday. His last day will be Aug. 12.

Both officials came to FAMU last year.

[Last modified March 19, 2005, 01:00:09]