Washington Goode was born around 1820, with conflicting reports placing his birthplace in either Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, or Baltimore, Maryland. His uncle, George Myers, claimed that Goode was born in Baltimore and was 28 years old at the time of his death in 1849, suggesting a birth year of 1821. At the age of 15, Goode moved to Boston with his uncle in 1836. Settling among the city's small Black population, he began working as a servant on ships sailing from Boston. Goode rarely saw his uncle while in port, preferring to spend time in Boston's North End, an area known as the "Black Sea."

By 1848, Goode had established himself as a seaman, reportedly serving as a second cook on the steamer William J. Pease and as a cook aboard the barque Nancoockee. While in Boston, he was known to associate with Mary Ann Williams, whom he considered his girlfriend, despite her being married. Another Black seaman, Thomas Harding, also claimed a romantic relationship with Williams, leading to a rivalry between the two men.

On the night of June 28, 1848, an argument erupted between Goode and Harding over a handkerchief that Harding had given to Williams. Later that night, Harding was found dead, having suffered a blow to the head and a knife wound between the ribs. Goode was promptly arrested for the murder.

Goode's trial commenced on January 1, 1849, presided over by Chief Justice Lemuel Shaw of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. The prosecution, led by District Attorney Samuel D. Parker, relied heavily on circumstantial evidence. Witnesses testified to seeing someone matching Goode's description near the crime scene, and a knife found in Goode's possession had a blade length consistent with Harding's stab wound. Despite the lack of direct evidence, the jury deliberated for only thirty-five minutes before finding Goode guilty. He was sentenced to death on January 15, 1849.

Goode's case attracted significant attention from opponents of the death penalty. Prominent figures such as Wendell Phillips, Frederick Douglass, and William Lloyd Garrison advocated for clemency, arguing that the evidence was insufficient and that racial bias influenced the verdict. Over 24,000 signatures were collected on petitions urging Governor George N. Briggs to commute Goode's sentence. Despite these efforts, Briggs refused to intervene.

On the eve of his execution, Goode attempted suicide by slashing his arms and ingesting tobacco and tarred rope. He was found by prison guards and treated by a doctor, surviving the attempt. On May 25, 1849, too weak to stand, Goode was carried to the gallows at Leverett Street Jail and executed by hanging. His body was claimed by his uncle and buried in the South End Burying Ground.