For over two years, Ballard resident Linda Smith waited to face the man who robbed and assaulted her aunt Irma, causing injuries that would eventually lead to her death.

Smith finally saw Tony Dale Green up close when he recently pleaded guilty to eight charges in a series of crimes against multiple victims and was found guilty of two additional charges.

Green avoided a murder charge.

Andrews was 90 years old when the incident occurred on June 9, 2005. She died on Aug. 27 from a double cerebral hemorrhage.

The King County Medical Examiner determined Andrews' medical condition was the result of the crime committed against her.

Deputy prosecutor Tim Leary told the News-Tribune in March, that his office decided not to file homicide charges because Andrews had fallen several times at a nursing home where she was sent for rehabilitation.

Because of that, it would have been difficult to prove in a court of law that her death was related to Green's assault.

Green faces a standard term of 129 to 170 months in prison.

"We are asking for a long sentence," said Dan Donohoe, spokesperson for the prosecutor's office. They are seeking a 270-month sentence, which means Green, 52, could spend 22 years behind bars.

Green's victims were all elderly or disabled. There are five known victims, dating back to February 2005.

The charges against Green included possessing stolen property, forgery, burglary, theft and robbery.

Two victims served as key witnesses against Green. One was a 90-year-old man that Green drove to several banks to steal his money and then abandoned at night in a parking lot.

The other victim who testified was a deaf and blind disabled Capitol Hill man who was confined to a walker.

Green's public defender encouraged him to waive a jury trial because of the strength of the witnesses testimony said Smith. He will be sentenced on Dec. 1.

According to Leary, Green chose victims who were elderly or vulnerable. He was apprehended after robbing the deaf and blind man.

When Green was in court, Smith was called as a character witness for Irma Andrews.

"I found myself torn emotionally. You have to face this person and look at him," Smith said.

Green looked in Smith's general direction, but did not look directly at her. Smith said she tried to make eye contact and shed some tears during the emotional process.

During the day of the incident, Andrews was waiting for the 10:40 a.m. number 26 Metro bus in the Green Lake area where she lived alone. She was on her way to see Smith in Ballard for their regular Thursday lunch together.

Green pulled up in a red car and offered Andrews a ride to a bank, claiming to work to be a bank employee. Andrews refused his offer. "I don't want to go anywhere with you," she told Green.

When Andrews turned her back, Green got out of the car and knocked Andrews to the ground, grabbing her purse.

The bag contained $6 in cash and credit cards to the Macy's and Nordstrom department stores. Three hours later, Green had already charged up to $2,000 on the cards.

Andrews broke her hip in the fall. Doctors later inserted a rod and pin in her hip, along with metal plates.

When doctors realized her dentures were cracked, they discovered she had suffered from a head in jury also.

Known for being a strong and independent woman, Andrews rode the bus around town to shop or try out new restaurants.

Before the incident, Andrews went out every day. On occasion, she would walk two miles to grocery stores in the Roosevelt Way area.

After the incident, Andrews met with the News-Tribune at the nursing home and was unsure about going back to her apartment in Green Lake.

"If I get to feeling well and ride the bus again, I will never turn my back again. When I get well, I may change my mind about moving back (home)," she said.

Andrews was born in Delta, Colorado in 1915. During her life, Andrews was a top-notch seamstress for several companies and was once elected as a union representative.

In retirement, Andrews enjoyed sewing dolls, doll clothing and quilts in her apartment.

She loved watching professional wrestling on television and was involved in the community, spending 52 years with the Eastern Star Masonic Lodge.

"She said you have to stay busy. Irma was very disciplined on her schedule and what she did. Irma was just living her life, for this to happen to her at the end of life is not fair," said Smith.

Smith gives credit to the Seattle Police Department Victim Advocate Jiang-Hong An for helping her get through the roughest part of it in court, when he sat beside her providing comfort and advice.

"The victim's advocate, the detectives and the prosecutors have done outstanding work. They were very kind to me during the whole process," said Smith.

Smith said there is satisfaction that Green is now off the street, but the pain remains with the passing of an aunt who was like a second mother to her. They spent all the holidays together.

Andrews death leaves a void in Smith's life.

The hard times became more difficult when another aunt, who had recently moved in with Smith, passed away last July.

"I had so much coming at me. Several weeks ago, I realized I can't see Irma again and cried at night. My pastor said it was part of the grieving process," said Smith.

"She'd still be with me. Now I don't have her to go to and can't go to her," said Smith.

Green's sentencing to a prison term will bring the case to a close, but it won't take Smith's pain away.

"Whatever happens to this man, it does not bring Irma back," said Smith.

Dean Wong can be reached at 783.1244 or dino@robinsonnews.com