In May 1916, Washington was accused of murdering Lucy Fryer, the wife of a white farmer for whom he worked. After a brief trial in Waco, an all-white jury convicted him and sentenced him to death within minutes. Before the legal process could continue, a large mob seized him from the courtroom. He was beaten, mutilated, and burned alive in front of a crowd that included adults and children, while many spectators photographed the event and collected souvenirs.