On Monday, Ezel Tinsley was sentenced for the murder of Terry Washington at a sober-living home. The sentence follows a jury verdict from November 13, 2024, where Tinsley was convicted of first-degree murder. Judge Steve White sentenced him to 25 years to life in prison, according to the Sacramento District Attorney's Office.
The incident that led to Washington's death occurred at a recovery facility where both men lived. On January 28, 2023, Tinsley returned to the facility intoxicated, which led to a confrontation with Washington, a former resident and program facilitator, about his drinking. The situation escalated into a physical altercation, resulting in Washington's death, as reported by the Sacramento District Attorney's Office.
Tinsley continued to attack Washington even after he lost consciousness, punching and kicking him. A resident who tried to intervene found Tinsley standing over the unconscious victim. When officers arrived, Washington was rushed to the hospital but remained in a coma for nine months before dying from his injuries. Tinsley, now in custody, faces charges related to the attack, as stated by the Sacramento District Attorney's Office.
