An Alabama judge dropped a capital murder charge Tuesday against a man accused of killing 19-year-old college student Aniah Blanchard, in 2019.
According to ABC 33 News, Judge Tom Young dropped one of the three capital murder charges against Ibraheem Yazeed, 36. The decision came shortly before closing arguments began in Macon County.
Jury deliberations are now underway.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Yazeed is accused of murdering Blanchard after abducting her from an Auburn Chevron gas station on College Street, on October 23, 2019.
Surveillance footage showed Yazeed at the store at the same time as Blanchard. A witness at the store that night claimed he saw the defendant force Blanchard into her vehicle.
On November 25, 2019, key prosecution witness, Antwon “Squirmy” Fisher, led investigators to County Road 2, where they found Blanchard’s “scattered remains,” CBS 3 reports.
She had been shot in the head.
Yazeed admitted that he shot a “young lady” during a tussle over a gun, according to Fisher’s testimony.
Young dropped a capital murder charge involving a victim inside a vehicle, but the following charges remain:
- Capital murder during a kidnapping
- Capital murder during a robbery
If the jury does not find him guilty of capital murder, Yazeed could face lesser charges that include:
- Murder
- Manslaughter
- Felony murder
- Kidnapping (first-degree)
Yazeed faces the death penalty if convicted of capital murder.
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Aniah Blanchard/Central Alabama CrimeStoppers]