The man charged with beating a turtle to death with a hammer in June told police he acted in self-defense, according to his arrest affidavit.
Terry Washington, 55, was recorded by a witness the afternoon of June 21 hitting the turtle with a hammer by the Bouldin Creek spillway. The affidavit states several people had initially gathered to watch Washington reel in what they thought was a large fish. Witnesses told police they did not at any point see Washington try and help remove the fishing hook or cut the fishing line to free the turtle. A man who was with Washington was trying to help the turtle, witnesses said.
A tip was submitted to the Game Warden’s office identifying Washington as the man in the video. On June 23, Washington arrived at the Gardner Betts Juvenile Detention Facility and told deputies he wanted to confess to killing the turtle.
Washington told police that his friend was fishing and hooked the turtle. He claimed the turtle was lunging at him and tried to bite him multiple times. The affidavit stated Washington told police he killed the turtle in self-defense to try and get his hook back, and dragged the turtle under the bridge to get away from the onlookers who had witnessed it.
Washington’s friend confirmed to police that they were fishing at the time and turtles were being a nuisance that day because they kept scaring away the fish.
Washington has been charged with felony cruelty to non-livestock animals. The affidavit states bond on the charge has been set at $5,000.
