BAY COUNTY, Fla. (TCN) — A Georgia man has been found guilty of several felonies in connection with the severe beating of his girlfriend while they were on a trip to Florida in 2024.
According to a press release from the State Attorney for Florida’s 14th Judicial Circuit, a six-person jury found Anthony Wayne Worley, 62, guilty of aggravated battery, domestic battery by strangulation, false imprisonment, and misdemeanor assault on Jan. 9.
On October 12, 2024, Worley and his girlfriend, whose name has not been released by authorities, were at a motel in Panama City, Florida, when hotel guests heard her screaming for help, Law & Crime reports.
According to the victim’s testimony as described by the release from the state attorney’s office, Worley and the victim were visiting the area from Georgia looking for a place to live. When they were out drinking together, a man complimented her on her appearance. This upset Worley and he started arguing with her.
The victim testified she told Worley she was going to return to Georgia. She also testified that Worley punched her, smothered her with a pillow, and threatened her with a loaded gun when they returned to their hotel room, reportedly saying, “I got one bullet for you and one bullet for me.”
The victim escaped the room, but Worley reportedly tried to drag her back in. A good Samaritan witnessed the altercation and intervened. Oxygen True Crime reports he directed the victim to his room while he restrained Worley and she waited there until authorities arrived.
The victim underwent emergency medical treatment for a broken orbital socket and broken nose, according to the state attorney’s office.