An Alabama jury returned a guilty verdict Thursday in connection with the 2019 death of Aniah Blanchard.
According to Al.com, Macon County jury found 36-year-old Ibraheem Yazeed guilty of murder and felony murder. He had initially been facing capital murder, but with convictions on lesser charges, he will escape the death penalty.
The jury began deliberating Wednesday morning after Judge Tom Young dropped one of the three capital murder charges.
The defense reportedly rested without calling a single witness.
“Today, a Macon County jury returned a murder verdict in the case of Aniah Blanchard,” Alabama Attorney General Steven Marshal said in a statement.
“Although we are disappointed that this outcome does not allow for the death penalty, we intend to seek the maximum sentence allowed by law when the defendant is sentenced on May 7th.
“I pledge to do everything in my power to ensure that Ibraheem Yazeed spends the rest of his life in prison. I believe that is what justice demands in this case. Aniah deserves it, as does her family.”
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Yazeed murdered Blanchard after abducting her from an Auburn 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 in Shorter, 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.
Blanchard, a Southern Union College student, was the stepdaughter of UFC heavyweight fighter, Walt Harris. She was also the inspiration behind the non-profit organization, Aniah’s Heart.
Her death initiated what would become Aniah’s Law. Passed in 2022, the law allows judges the discretion to deny bail to those charged with severe violent crimes, including, in part, murder, kidnapping, rape, and domestic violence.
Yazeed had been out on bond when he murdered Aniah, following a January 2019 arrest for kidnapping, robbery and attempted murder.
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[Feature Photo: Aniah Blanchard/Central Alabama CrimeStoppers]