Judge denies Ibraheem Yazeed’s request for a new trial

TUSKEGEE, Ala. (WAKA) – A circuit judge has denied Ibraheem Yazeed’s request for a new trial.

Circuit Judge Tom Young denied the request on Thursday after Yazeed’s attorney asked the court that their client either be acquitted or given a new trial.

Attorneys had filed a 22-point motion in Circuit Court of Macon County listing various reasons why they believe that evidence presented at his trial earlier this year did not support a guilty verdict beyond a reasonable doubt and that errors were committed during the trial.

Earlier this year, a jury found Yazeed guilty of felony murder and guilty of murder in the two main counts he faced in the shooting death of 19-year-old Blanchard. He was not found guilty of capital murder in either count he faced.

In May, Yazeed was sentenced to two life sentences in Blanchard’s death.

Aniah Blanchard was from Homewood and was a student at Southern Union Community College. She was the stepdaughter of UFC fighter Walt Harris.

She was last seen in a Chevron gas station on South College Street in Auburn in October 2019. A massive search was launched for her, which got national attention, even on the “Dr. Phil” TV show. Evidence showed Yazeed was in the gas station at the same time she was.

Her car was found at an apartment complex in Montgomery. There was blood inside.

Her body was later found in woods in Macon County, about a month after her disappearance. Evidence showed that she had been shot in the head.

Yazeed was arrested in Florida. He has a lengthy criminal history.

Yazeed was out on bail at the time of Blanchard’s death. That led the Legislature to pass, and Alabama voters to approve, “Aniah’s Law,” which limits the granting of bail for certain offenses.