TAMPA, Fla. — Defendant Granville Ritchie will not testify in his murder trial.

Ritchie is accused of raping and killing 9-year-old Felecia Williams in 2014.

When asked by the judge if he wanted to exercise his right to remain silent, Ritchie responded "yes." 

The state rested its case Monday in Ritchie's murder trial, and prosecutors made their arguments as to why they believe Ritchie murdered 9-year-old Felecia Williams in 2014. 

The defense began calling witnesses Tuesday. Before calling witnesses, Ritchie's attorneys asked the jury to keep an open mind and listen to the evidence.  

"(The) Prosecution in his opening statements said the evidence by the time he is done will be crystal clear that Granville Rtichie killed Felecia Williams," Ritchie's attorney Bjorn Brunvard said. "Respectfully, members of the jury, the evidence has shown and will continue to show with the evidence being presented today that it is not crystal clear that Granville Ritchie harmed Felecia Williams."

Brunvard said the person who killed Williams easily could have been someone else, even a woman.

"I would say this could be inflicted by any adult," Brunvard said.

After calling two witnesses, the defense rested its case. 

Last Week's Testimony

Testimony began last week, and so far, jurors heard from Williams' mom, various expert witnesses, and girlfriends of Ritchie. 

One testified saying Ritchie talked about moving out of state the night Williams was killed. 

A DNA analyst also testified that there's no DNA to definitely connect Ritchie to Williams. 

"Can water, including salt water, affect what DNA might be left behind on an individual?" Charlene Forrester Webster, a FDLE crime lab analyst was asked. 

"Yes," Webster answered. 

"And how is that?"

"Water would rinse off any DNA that might possibly be present. It would be just like showering," Webster said. 

"If skin cells were left behind?"

"That wouldn't be there either," answered Webster. 

The Defense is expected to finish today, however, they've already decided that closing arguments won't start until Wednesday morning at the earliest.