Man sentenced for deadly attack on a resident at a Sacramento sober-living home
A judge sentenced a 47-year-old man to spend 25 years to life in prison for a deadly attack on a fellow resident two years ago at a Sacramento sober-living home.
Sacramento Superior Court Judge Steve White sentenced Ezel Tinsley on Friday, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday in a news release.
A jury on Nov. 13 found Tinsley guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Terry Alonzo Washington, 61, of Sacramento. Prosecutors said Washington was taken to a hospital after the attack, and he remained hospitalized in a coma for about nine months before he died from his injuries.
Sacramento County Coroner records list Washington’s death date as Sept. 29, 2023.
The incident that led to Washington’s death began on Jan. 28, 2023, at the sober-living house where Tinsley and Washington lived. Washington had graduated from the sober-living program and was living at the home as one the program’s facilitators.
Prosecutors said Tinsley had just drank alcohol and returned to the home that day, appearing to be under the influence of alcohol. Washington confronted Tinsley about his drinking, leading to an argument.
Another resident went to intervene and found Tinsley standing over Washington, who was unconscious on the floor, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said Tinsley then continued to punch and kick Washington, before police officers arrived and found Tinsley with Washington still unconscious on the floor.
Sacramento County Jail records show the Sacramento Police Department arrested Tinsley and booked him at the jail on the day of the 2023 attack. Tinsley has remained in custody since then. He was being housed Monday at the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center until he’s transferred to a prison.
