A jailhouse informant says she was abused by fellow inmates and corrections officers after reporting that a missing Florida foster child's caretaker had confessed to the murder.
Robin Lunceford testified Thursday one officer hit her in the head with a radio and another caused her to fall by stepping on her shackles. Lunceford says she suffered similar abuse by inmates who accused her of snitching.
"You get sick of the abuse. It was a back and forth situation, but, always, justice for Rilya always wins over," said Lunceford.
Lunceford says 66-year-old Geralyn Graham told her while both were in jail that she smothered 4-year-old Rilya Wilson girl with a pillow because Rilya was evil and mentally troubled.
"I wasn't manipulating her," said Lunceford.
"You were questioning her? 'Yes.' You were trying to use her, just like you used her for a commissary, you were going to use her for info, right?" said Matters.
"No," answered Lunceford.
During cross examination, defense attorneys listed cases against Lunceford, a career criminal.
"You're currently serving that sentence for robbery with a deadly weapon, right?" asked defense attorney Michael Matters.
"Yes," answered Lunceford.
"You've also got a nickname for me, called f***face, right?" said Matters.
"Yes, I do. Yes, you are," replied Lunceford.
"So you and I go way back, don't we?" said Matters.
"Yup," said Lunceford.
Lunceford had her life sentence cut to 10 years in return for her testimony.
"You didn't say, 'Screw it. I'm taking life. I'll never do one damn thing except sit their with the babes,' as you said," said Matters.
"Well, I tried. But if it didn't work out, two tears in the bucket," said Lunceford.
She is known to lawyers as a habitual snitch who has offered to testify in several high-profile cases during her time in various jails and prisons.
"It's always you, is it not, that whatever institution you're in, that suggests you are a state witness?" said Matters.
"I don't hide it and I'm not ashamed of it. I'll stand up loud and proud for Rilya Wilson," replied Lunceford.
Graham faces life in prison if convicted of killing Rilya, whose body has never been found. Graham claims a state welfare worker took the girl and never returned her. Police say that is false.
