GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. – A man who was found guilty of killing Navy Cmdr. Alphonso Doss in an Orange Park hotel room two years ago was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison plus 30 years.
Anthony Washington, 31, was convicted in September of first-degree felony murder and burglary with assault or battery. Circuit Judge John Skinner sentenced Washington to life on the first-degree murder charge and 30 years on the second charge. He has 30 days to appeal.
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Doss was strangled in a room at the Astoria Hotel in February 2014.
"It means a lot because Cmdr. Doss deserved this. He served our country honorably and he should not have been murdered the way he was. He should not have died and be left like an animal in that motel room," Assistant State Attorney Bernie de la Rionda said after Washington was found guilty.
Tom and Carolyn Allen, Doss' parents, told News4Jax that they were relieved to hear the jury read the verdict after deliberating for about five hours.
"I'm very happy. We came to see justice done for our son and we got that. And I think that Bernie de la Rionda, all the people with the county, did a great job, and we're very happy," Tom Allen said.
Doss' parents said they have sympathy for Washington's family, but nothing will bring their son back.
"His death was devastating to us. So we're pleased at the way the trial was handled and the case was handled by the detectives, and we can move on from here," Tom Allen said.
Doss' estranged wife, Yolinda, and another man, Ronnie Wilson II, are also accused in Doss' murder and are awaiting trial.