CLEARWATER, FL.- Clearwater Police homicide detectives have charged a Clearwater man with first-degree murder in a slaying earlier this month at Palmetto Park Apartments.
Arthur Benjamin Jr., also known as Hadeeka Shabazz, 50, was taken into custody this morning in unincorporated Pinellas County with the assistance of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
He was interviewed by detectives at Clearwater Police Department headquarters, where he confessed to the crime. He then was transported to the Pinellas County Jail for booking.
The victim, Kerry Washington, 49, died of blunt force trauma to the upper body.
The two had been in a domestic relationship for several years.
The investigation continues and we will update this story when more details are released.