Bio

Anthony Neil Washington was born on September 27, 1956. He grew up in a time that was shaped by significant social changes in America. Washington's early life details are not widely available, making it difficult to understand his family background and upbringing.

As he grew older, Washington's life seemed to include some run-ins with the law. He became involved in the criminal justice system and had some history of incarceration. Records indicate that he was in and out of correctional facilities. By the late 1980s, he was living in Pinellas County, Florida.

Around this time, he was enrolled in a work release program at the Largo Community Correctional Work Release Center. This program allowed him to work at a local company called Cocoa Masonry. During his time in this program, he was required to follow strict rules while trying to reintegrate into society.

Washington's life took a significant turn when he was arrested on September 5, 1989. Police were investigating a separate case related to sexual battery when they brought him in for questioning. His involvement in criminal activities would later lead to serious consequences.

Murder Story

On August 17, 1989, Anthony Neil Washington committed a murder in Pinellas County, Florida. His victim was 93-year-old Alice Berdat, who was found in her home. She had been severely beaten, suffering extensive bruising and injuries, including 17 fractured ribs. A medical examination indicated that there was evidence of both vaginal and anal rape.

On the morning of the crime, Washington was at a work release center located only 2.1 miles away from Berdat's home. He left the center that morning to go to his job at Cocoa Masonry but returned at 9:17 a.m. He was later found to have not actually worked that day.

About two weeks later, on August 31, investigators interviewed Washington’s co-workers. They reported having seen him at work briefly on the morning of the murder. Washington had sold a gold watch to a fellow employee. Later, it was confirmed that this watch belonged to Alice Berdat. The co-worker identified Washington as the man who sold him the watch through a photograph shown to him by the police.

On September 5, 1989, Washington was brought in for questioning related to an unrelated sexual battery investigation. During this encounter, he provided hair and blood samples, which he thought would clear him of suspicion. However, those samples linked him to Berdat’s murder.

Washington was arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including first-degree murder. He stood trial and was found guilty on July 16, 1992. The jury recommended a life sentence with the chance for parole after 25 years. However, the judge overruled this recommendation and sentenced Washington to death for the murder, in addition to life for the other charges.

Washington appealed his conviction, claiming various issues regarding legal procedures. His appeals went through several courts, including the Florida Supreme Court, where his conviction and sentence were ultimately upheld. He continued to file motions and petitions challenging the verdict, but they were denied. His case is still pending further appeals.