The man convicted in 2018 of the rape and murder of 8-year-old Cherish Perrywinkle -- in one of Jacksonville’s most high-profile cases -- is once again asking for a new trial.

The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously upheld the conviction and death sentence of Donald James Smith, who raped and murdered 8-year-old Cherish Perrywinklle after kidnapping the girl from a Jacksonville Walmart in 2013.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The mother of 8-year-old Cherish Perrywinkle was concerned Wednesday morning when Judge Mallory Cooper first sentenced Donald Smith to life in prison for kidnapping and rape. When Cooper announced Smith would be put to death for murder, Rayne Perrywinkle burst into tears. I just wish Cherish was here to see it," Perrywinkle said. UNCUT: Rayne Perrywinkle reacts to sentenceCherish was kidanpped from her mother at a Northside Walmart store in June 2013, raped and strangled. Earlier this year Smith was convicted of kidnapping, raping and killing Cherish, and a jury unanimously recommended he be sentenced to death.

DOCUMENTS: Donald Smith's death sentence | Judge's scoresheet | Cost of prosecutionCircuit Judge Mallory Cooper, who delayed her retirement to see the case through, sentenced Donald Smith to death for the 8-year-old girl’s murder in a widely anticipated ruling that upheld the unanimous recommendation from a jury. … Donald James Smith, may God have mercy on your soul." Rayne Perrywinkle hugs State Attorney Melissa NelsonWhile Nelson and Assistant State Attorney Mark Caliel expressed relief afterward, neither celebrated. The outcome also came as a relief to juror Paul Hinson, who was glad Cooper sided with the jury's recommendation. Despite Wednesday's ruling, the case is far from over because Smith is eligible for appeals down the road.

"That was pretty much the hardest part of the trial," Hinson said. Hinson said the trial changed his life, describing how certain words will forever trigger memories of Cherish, as well as Smith. Or is that going to be the next Donald Smith taking somebody out of the door." WATCH: Donald Smith unemotional as jury verdict is readHe went on to talk about Smith's demeanor during the trial. RELATED: 4 things beyond a verdict we learned in Donald Smith trial | Who was Cherish Perrywinkle before Donald Smith cut her life short?

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Before her angelic young face became entwined with one of the most heinous crimes in Jacksonville history, Cherish Lilly Perrywinkle lived 3,101 days of relative innocence. PHOTOS: Remembering Cherish PerrywinkleIn first grade at Chaffee Trail Elementary School, Cherish was recognized for good citizenship and reading. The night before she was supposed to fly out, Cherish's family met Donald Smith, the man now convicted of cutting her young life tragically short. If she'd never met Smith, Cherish would now be 13 years old. Walmart surveillance video shows Cherish walking out front door with Donald Smith.

Cooper asked Smith if he was certain he didn't want to take the stand in his own defense, which he has a right to do. As the state's first defense witness, Rayne Perrywinkle glared at Donald Smith as she began her testimony. 'No one noticed'Surveillance footage from the store caught the image of Smith and Cherish exiting, the girl skipping out behind him. Schlax planned to cross-examine Perrywinkle, but after the mother's testimony, Smith told his attorneys not to ask her any questions. Criminal historyBefore his arrest for Cherish's death, Smith had a long criminal history dating back to the 1970s related to lewd and lascivious conduct.

A Dollar General manager, who was working as a clerk the night Perrywinkle met Smith, later testified that Smith had asked to buy adult magazines at the store before noticing Perrywinkle struggling to afford clothes for her children. Perrywinkle recalled what Smith told her as she walked out the front door. Perrywinkle testified Smith reassured her that he meant them no harm. "I don’t want her to have to go through anything that she does not want to," Smith told Cooper. Schlax indicated her team would be questioning Perrywinkle, but Smith later declined to have them cross-examine her.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A panel of 12 jurors and four alternates was seated Friday to hear the first-degree murder trial of Donald Smith. In addition to the trial, if Smith is convicted, the jurors will also hear the penalty phase to determine if he should be sentenced to death. Smith told Circuit Judge Mallory Cooper that he was satisfied with the jurors selected to decide his fate. The trial is expected to last three to four days, with another three to four days for the penalty phase. If Smith is convicted of murder, kidnapping and sexual battery, prosecutors are expected to seek the death penalty for him.