NORTHWOOD – A man accused of first degree murder of a Northwood woman after she was stabbed to death won’t stand trial until next spring, a judge has ruled.
Tyrone Washington Jr. has been charged with murder in the first degree, a class A felony in the 2013 death of Justina Smith. On August 5, 2013 at 11:41 AM, the Worth County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a female requesting help at Swensrud Park in Northwood, Iowa. Deputies responded to the area and located Smith with severe injuries. Deputies learned that the suspect, Washington, had fled the scene and taken the victim’s car, a silver 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix. He was later caught and arrested after a pursuit when he left Interstate 80 in Eastern Iowa and drove through corn and bean fields. Smith died as a result of multiple sharp force injuries, an autopsy revealed.
Washington’s trial was moved to Fort Dodge in order to secure a fair trial. That trial was supposed to start this month, but Judge Colleen Weiland has granted a continuance until May of 2015. Washington remains held in the Worth County Jail.
INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY