Murder suspect to be arraigned

Published 9:20 am Wednesday, August 21, 2013

NORTHWOOD — The 39-year-old man arrested earlier this month in the murder of a Northwood woman is slated to be arraigned Sept. 3 in Worth County District Court.

Tyrone Washington Jr.

Tyrone Washington Jr.

Tyrone Washington Jr. is facing a first-degree murder charge for allegedly stabbing Justina Marie Smith, 30, to death the morning of Aug. 5 in Northwood’s Swensrud Park.

The Iowa Attorney General’s Office is prosecuting the case with the assistance of the Worth County attorney.

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According to an autopsy, Smith died from what has been described as “multiple sharp-force injuries.” Iowa State Patrol troopers arrested Washington in Scott County, Iowa, after he reportedly fled the park in Smith’s 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix.

Washington was Smith’s live-in boyfriend, but Smith had requested a restraining order in July after Washington allegedly assaulted and strangled her.

He remains in the Worth County jail on a $500,000 cash-only bond.