GUILTY AL - Aniah Haley Blanchard, 19, Auburn, Lee County, 23 October 2019 *Arrest* #7

[auburnmomof2]

I watched Simon the reporter from WSFA. He said he would give the overview of identifying Aniah’s body, that it might be too gruesome to report live. I did read the detailed anthropologist’s testimony & the state forensic person and I can see that would be hard to take for her family. Were you there during their testimony?

Simon has been doing such a wonderful job covering this trial. The testimony about her remains was extremely tough! As a mom, I can't imagine hearing about dental records used to identify my child! I remember talking my kids to the dentist for fillings. So my heart was breaking for Aniah's mom! Then to hear how animals had chewed and scavenged her remains was brutal! I understand the forensics of the testimony but at the same time she's still someone's child. The witness did a fantastic job and was gentle, compassionate yet thorough

 

[Miss Poovy]

Probably all has been individually posted, but here’s a synopsis of each day’s testimony.

Fate of Aniah Blanchard’s accused killer now rests with the jury

Jury deliberations are underway in the capital murder trial of Ibraheem Yazeed after closing arguments ended Tuesday afternoon.

www.wtvm.com

 

[Miss Poovy]

Simon has been doing such a wonderful job covering this trial. The testimony about her remains was extremely tough! As a mom, I can't imagine hearing about dental records used to identify my child! I remember talking my kids to the dentist for fillings. So my heart was breaking for Aniah's mom! Then to hear how animals had chewed and scavenged her remains was brutal! I understand the forensics of the testimony but at the same time she's still someone's child. The witness did a fantastic job and was gentle, compassionate yet thorough

I know there was a gag order, but I do not recall a hint about the possibility of Aniah’s being shot in the field where her body was discovered. I remember reading over & over about all the blood in her car. I guess that’s what gag orders are for!

 

[auburnmomof2]

I know there was a gag order, but I do not recall a hint about the possibility of Aniah’s being shot in the field where her body was discovered. I remember reading over & over about all the blood in her car. I guess that’s what gag orders are for!

I had never heard that before Mondays testimony. It sounds like they believe she was shot in the vehicle and possibly survived and was shot in the head when her body was dumped. Forensics could not determine where she was shot in the vehicle due to the decay and scavenging of her remains. The shot in the vehicle could have missed any bones. Due to scavenging animals, her entire remains were not recovered. But she was shot in the head at the site where she was dumped. The only logical explanation of why would be because she was still alive.
These are my opinions based on what I heard in court. I am not a reporter and did not provide any information to any news outlet

 

[auburnmomof2]

I wanted to add that he is no longer charged with capital murder by homicide in a vehicle. So it's now 2 counts of capital murder. 1 count during a kidnapping and 1 count during a robbery. Verdict watching for this case is tough!

 

[Miss Poovy]

I had never heard that before Mondays testimony. It sounds like they believe she was shot in the vehicle and possibly survived and was shot in the head when her body was dumped. Forensics could not determine where she was shot in the vehicle due to the decay and scavenging of her remains. The shot in the vehicle could have missed any bones. Due to scavenging animals, her entire remains were not recovered. But she was shot in the head at the site where she was dumped. The only logical explanation of why would be because she was still alive.
These are my opinions based on what I heard in court. I am not a reporter and did not provide any information to any news outlet

That’s terrible, I hope she was at least unconscious or not aware after the first shot.

 

[auburnmomof2]

That’s terrible, I hope she was at least unconscious or not aware after the first shot.

I really hope her family was told this prior to it being said in court. I'll go into further details on my thoughts about this after the verdict.

 

[Miss Poovy]

Jury asked for clarification of state’s burden of proof right before lunch. Started back deliberating at 1:15 CT.

Jury deliberations continue in trial of Aniah Blanchard’s accused killer

Just before lunch Wednesday, the jury asked presiding judge Tom Young for clarification on the state’s burden of proof for both the charge of capital murder kidnapping, and one of the lesser charges Yazeed could recieve under that count, 1st degree kidnapping.

www.wbrc.com

 

[Miss Poovy]

Per reporter Elizabeth White on Facebook, the jury has asked for clarification between felony murder and murder. I don’t know how to copy from Facebook. If you tap the gray box, it shows her post.

 

[auburnmomof2]

According to Elizabeth White the jury has gone home for today and will start back tomorrow morning

 

[Niner]

Could not find when they jury stopped deliberations - I guessed at 5pm. If anyone finds the time - please let me know & I will correct my notes.

Thursday, March 19th:
*Trial continues (Day 9)-VERDICT WATCH! (Day 2) (Macon County) (@ 9am ET) - AL - Aniah Haley Blanchard (19) (last heard from Oct. 23, 2019 text with friend, Auburn, Lee County; car found early morning hours of Oct. 24 along South College St; officially reported missing Oct. 24, 2019; Aniah was found Nov. 25, 2019 near Highway 80 in Shorter, Ala., which is about 25 miles east of Montgomery, Macon County off County Road 2 near New Hope Baptist Church several feet into the woods.) – *Ibraheem Yazeed aka Laquetta Nicole Lamar, Ibraheema Yazeed, Ibraheen Yazeed (29/now 36) arrested (12/4/19 in Escambia County) & charged (11/7/19 Lee County) with 1st murder & 1st degree kidnapping. Held with no bond. Lee County. Case was moved to Macon County.
*Indicted (11/14/22), recharged & arraigned (3/6/23 in Macon County) with 1 count of 1st degree capital murder (during a kidnapping), 1 count of 1st degree murder (during robbery) & 1 count of 1st degree murder involving a victim in a vehicle [this charge was dismissed on 3/17/26]. Plead not guilty (3/6/23). Held with no bond. DA will seek DP. Held in Lee County jail. 1/16/26 transferred to Macon County jail. Macon County
Jury Selection began on 3/2/26 & ended on 3/6/26. Jury will consist of 12 Jurors [8 women & 4 men] & 4 alternates [2 women & 2 men] [3 black & 3 white men & 7 black & 3 white women].
Trial began on 3/9/26 & ended on 3/16/26 with State & defense resting their cases. Closing arguments on 3/17/26.
Jury started deliberations on 3/18/26. 3/18/26: deliberated ~6 hours (9:30a-1:15pm/2pm-5pm)
5th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Tom F. Young, Jr. presiding . Deputy AG Damon Lewis & Lead prosecutor Dep. AG Kenneth Earl Gibbs. Defense attorneys William Whatley Jr., Carmella Penn & Terry Luck.
Previous crimes & court info from 11/10/19 thru 2/6/26 & Jury Selection Days 1-6 (3/2-3/6/26) & Trial Days 1-7 (3/9-3/17/26) reference post #118 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...lee-county-23-oct-2019-arrest-7.724664/page-6
3/18/26 Wednesday, Trial Day 8/Verdict Watch (Day 1): Jury began deliberations @ 9:30am to 5pm (?) with 45 min. lunch. Trial continues with jury deliberations on Thursday, 3/19/26.

 

[auburnmomof2]

Could not find when they jury stopped deliberations - I guessed at 5pm. If anyone finds the time - please let me know & I will correct my notes.

Thursday, March 19th:
*Trial continues (Day 9)-VERDICT WATCH! (Day 2) (Macon County) (@ 9am ET) - AL - Aniah Haley Blanchard (19) (last heard from Oct. 23, 2019 text with friend, Auburn, Lee County; car found early morning hours of Oct. 24 along South College St; officially reported missing Oct. 24, 2019; Aniah was found Nov. 25, 2019 near Highway 80 in Shorter, Ala., which is about 25 miles east of Montgomery, Macon County off County Road 2 near New Hope Baptist Church several feet into the woods.) – *Ibraheem Yazeed aka Laquetta Nicole Lamar, Ibraheema Yazeed, Ibraheen Yazeed (29/now 36) arrested (12/4/19 in Escambia County) & charged (11/7/19 Lee County) with 1st murder & 1st degree kidnapping. Held with no bond. Lee County. Case was moved to Macon County.
*Indicted (11/14/22), recharged & arraigned (3/6/23 in Macon County) with 1 count of 1st degree capital murder (during a kidnapping), 1 count of 1st degree murder (during robbery) & 1 count of 1st degree murder involving a victim in a vehicle [this charge was dismissed on 3/17/26]. Plead not guilty (3/6/23). Held with no bond. DA will seek DP. Held in Lee County jail. 1/16/26 transferred to Macon County jail. Macon County
Jury Selection began on 3/2/26 & ended on 3/6/26. Jury will consist of 12 Jurors [8 women & 4 men] & 4 alternates [2 women & 2 men] [3 black & 3 white men & 7 black & 3 white women].
Trial began on 3/9/26 & ended on 3/16/26 with State & defense resting their cases. Closing arguments on 3/17/26.
Jury started deliberations on 3/18/26. 3/18/26: deliberated ~6 hours (9:30a-1:15pm/2pm-5pm)
5th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Tom F. Young, Jr. presiding . Deputy AG Damon Lewis & Lead prosecutor Dep. AG Kenneth Earl Gibbs. Defense attorneys William Whatley Jr., Carmella Penn & Terry Luck.
Previous crimes & court info from 11/10/19 thru 2/6/26 & Jury Selection Days 1-6 (3/2-3/6/26) & Trial Days 1-7 (3/9-3/17/26) reference post #118 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...lee-county-23-oct-2019-arrest-7.724664/page-6
3/18/26 Wednesday, Trial Day 8/Verdict Watch (Day 1): Jury began deliberations @ 9:30am to 5pm (?) with 45 min. lunch. Trial continues with jury deliberations on Thursday, 3/19/26.

I texted a friend at 4:55 that the jury had gone home for the day. If I see a more precise time I'll let you know

 

[Niner]

I texted a friend at 4:55 that the jury had gone home for the day. If I see a more precise time I'll let you know

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Miss Poovy]

Verdict Guilty Felony Murder
Guilty Murder

 

[Miss Poovy]

From AL.com

Ibraheem Yazeed escapes execution as jury reaches verdict in murder of Aniah Blanchard

The 19-year-old’s body was found in the woods a month after she vanished from an Auburn gas station in 2019.

www.al.com

 

[Niner]

Verdict is in!

Verdict in Aniah Blanchard case: Ibraheem Yazeed found guilty of murder

MACON COUNTY, Ala. (WBMA) — A verdict has been reached in the capital murder trial of Ibraheem Yazeed, the man accused in the 2019 kidnapping and killing of 19-

abc3340.com

A Macon County jury found Yazeed guilty of felony murder and guilty of murder, lesser charges under the capital murder counts he was originally indicted on.


The verdict means Yazeed was not convicted of capital murder, which could have carried the death penalty. He now faces sentencing on the murder convictions, which could include life in prison.

edited to add:

Yazeed's sentencing is scheduled for May 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

 

[auburnmomof2]

I don't clearly understand the difference between felony murder and capital murder. But I think there was at least 1 juror that refused to vote for capital murder because they wouldn't vote to put someone to death

 

[Miss Poovy]

I don't clearly understand the difference between felony murder and capital murder. But I think there was at least 1 juror that refused to vote for capital murder because they wouldn't vote to put someone to death.

 

[Miss Poovy]

I think Capital Murder in AL another serious felony is committed at the same time. I believe the Prosecution took shooting in a vehicle off the table.

 

[Miss Poovy]

I don’t have a link, but on WVTM, his attorney said they will appeal & will use Aniah’s Law to show it was already determined their client was guilty.