LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The case against the man accused of kidnapping and murdering 2-year-old Wynter Smith in July is headed to circuit court.

Attorney General Dana Nessel said that Tuesday’s development moves the case against Rashad Trice one step closer to proving the charges in open court. “Trice will stand trial facing 20 charges, including seven potential life-sentence offenses,” Nessel said.

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Trice has been charged with a variety of felonies, including premeditated murder, kidnapping, home invasion, and rape. Officials say he sexually assaulted and stabbed his former girlfriend, kidnapped her daughter, Wynter, and stole her mother’s car. Police found Wynter’s strangled body in a Detroit alley several days later.

The court waived Trice’s right to a preliminary examination and bumped the case to circuit court.

Trice is presently held at the Newaygo County jail and will next appear before the 30th Circuit Court at a date that will be determined.