NOT GUILTY WA - Parents try to kidnap daughter over forced marriage - November 3, 2024 (NG of attempted murder; Guilty of lesser charges)

[turaj]

I think the jury will fairly quickly be able to find dad guilty, but I think there will be tricky discussions about mom's various charges and the jury instructions are fairly complicated and lengthy. That might slow things down a bit. I'd love see a verdict come in today, but we might have to wait until tomorrow.

i have not followed closely but did here FA say some things favorable to the mom. I think it is next to impossible for her to realize that her mom is just as bad as her dad. I think she is but yes jury will struggle with this.

 

[Izzylizzy]

I don't think this is correct. Isaiah's mom called LE, not CPS. However, she was present when CPS interviewed FA.

The victim's boyfriend's mother later told police that she had been present once for a CPS interview with the 17-year-old victim in which she apparently stated that "her father had recently been threatening her with honor killing for refusing an arranged marriage with an older man in another country."

Thanks for clarifying.
The school called CPS when Fatima and Isiah ran there getting away from where FA was attacked by her father.

IIRC: it was in the hospital that FA spoke with LE and CPS and Isiah's mom may have been there at the time with her son?
Isiah's father VB testified that he had not met FA before Oct.18th,
Curious if FA & IB are still dating or remained as close friends.

 

[Izzylizzy]

I think the jury will fairly quickly be able to find dad guilty, but I think there will be tricky discussions about mom's various charges and the jury instructions are fairly complicated and lengthy. That might slow things down a bit. I'd love see a verdict come in today, but we might have to wait until tomorrow.

Under cross of FA the mother's defense attorney was trying to get FA to agree with his portrayal of his client, her mother, as a caring mother who was embracing her daughter to comfort her while calling out "my daughter, my daughter" and wasn't aware that her embrace was hurting her daughter's neck.


imo

 

[arielilane]

The jury has been deliberating for more than 5 hrs in the trial of 2 Lacey parents accused of trying to kill their teenage daughter in an "honor killing." So far there have been no questions from the jury today as they continue to deliberate
@komonews

https://twitter.com/x/status/1950305327037206804

 

[arielilane]

I wonder if her parents are U.S. citizens or not. If they've been here for 11 or 12 years, since Fatima was 6 years old, I would think they would have applied for citizenship.

I wondered too about whether the defendants are U.S. citizens.
There is nothing definitive (that I could locate) to confirm the U.S. citizenship status of either defendant. I’ve read sources describing them as Iraqi immigrants living in the state of WA; and I have also, seen another source reference IA (“father”) as a Pakistani immigrant. Unfortunately, who knows the truth. Maybe after the verdict comes out it will be reported? Jmo

 

[Izzylizzy]

Can't find the link I need to post info,

 

[Seattle1]

i have not followed closely but did here FA say some things favorable to the mom. I think it is next to impossible for her to realize that her mom is just as bad as her dad. I think she is but yes jury will struggle with this.

Yes, there are a few things by FA that really should be clarified here.

Investigators testified (as seen in the surveillance) that ZA never came to the aid of her child when being attacked by her father, but instead was seen choking FA as her husband was being pulled off of FA by others. And FA told officers the same when interviewed at the hospital. However, during the trial, FA testified that her mother was holding her down at her neck and chest, but she did not think her mother was trying to hurt her.

IMO, ZA was very much the aggressor. She previously attacked FA's boyfriend at the HS, causing the school to take out a no trespass order against ZA, banning her from school property, as did the parents of the minor student who took out a PTO against ZA. I think it was ZA who sent the father to the school where he assaulted FA. ZA already knew FA was safe- she'd followed her early that morning and saw her in the parking lot of Safeway before school hours-- which start at 7:30 AM.

Relative to the why evidence of a forced marriage was not allowed during the trial, this was because FA recanted the allegation she first made to teachers and investigators-- when later being questioned by the defense under oath.

During the trial, without being specific, FA was asked by the defense if she had lied during questioning, and later told the truth, and FA responded yes. They also got her to admit that she often lied to her parents, but we don't know what about--they could very well be meaningless fibs!
Nonetheless, these are my concerns for the jurors not finding intent by ZA. MOO

An officer later visited the girl at the hospital. She told the officer that both her parents tried to choke her and she fell in and out of consciousness. She also accused her older sister of aiding her parents during the incident. The girl reportedly told the officer she believed her father was trying to kill her. Additionally, she told the officer that a school counselor was helping her find housing and her plan was to take a city bus when school got out. Notably, the school’s assistant principal served Zahraa Ali a trespass letter on Sept. 17, a day after she allegedly grabbed and yelled at a high school student, according to court records.

 

[Seattle1]

Court TV deliberation clock stopped: 7:09:30

Jurors just went home for the day and will resume on Wednesday. It's 4:30 pm PT

 

[Izzylizzy]

Yes, there are a few things by FA that really should be clarified here.

Investigators testified (as seen in the surveillance) that ZA never came to the aid of her child when being attacked by her father, but instead was seen choking FA as her husband was being pulled off of FA by others. And FA told officers the same when interviewed at the hospital. However, during the trial, FA testified that her mother was holding her down at her neck and chest, but she did not think her mother was trying to hurt her.

IMO, ZA was very much the aggressor. She previously attacked FA's boyfriend at the HS, causing the school to take out a no trespass order against ZA, banning her from school property, as did the parents of the minor student who took out a PTO against ZA. I think it was ZA who sent the father to the school where he assaulted FA. ZA already knew FA was safe- she'd followed her early that morning and saw her in the parking lot of Safeway before school hours-- which start at 7:30 AM.

Relative to the why evidence of a forced marriage was not allowed during the trial, this was because FA recanted the allegation she first made to teachers and investigators-- when later being questioned by the defense under oath.

During the trial, without being specific, FA was asked by the defense if she had lied during questioning, and later told the truth, and FA responded yes. They also got her to admit that she often lied to her parents, but we don't know what about--they could very well be meaningless fibs!
Nonetheless, these are my concerns for the jurors not finding intent by ZA. MOO

I have to go back and listen but I thought the defense attorney said that testimony where she lied was not related to this case and he quickly mentioned "France" or "French".


"During the trial, without being specific, FA was asked by the defense if she had lied during questioning, and later told the truth, and FA responded yes."

 

[Izzylizzy]

Yes, there are a few things by FA that really should be clarified here.

Investigators testified (as seen in the surveillance) that ZA never came to the aid of her child when being attacked by her father, but instead was seen choking FA as her husband was being pulled off of FA by others. And FA told officers the same when interviewed at the hospital. However, during the trial, FA testified that her mother was holding her down at her neck and chest, but she did not think her mother was trying to hurt her.

IMO, ZA was very much the aggressor. She previously attacked FA's boyfriend at the HS, causing the school to take out a no trespass order against ZA, banning her from school property, as did the parents of the minor student who took out a PTO against ZA. I think it was ZA who sent the father to the school where he assaulted FA. ZA already knew FA was safe- she'd followed her early that morning and saw her in the parking lot of Safeway before school hours-- which start at 7:30 AM.

Relative to the why evidence of a forced marriage was not allowed during the trial, this was because FA recanted the allegation she first made to teachers and investigators-- when later being questioned by the defense under oath.

During the trial, without being specific, FA was asked by the defense if she had lied during questioning, and later told the truth, and FA responded yes. They also got her to admit that she often lied to her parents, but we don't know what about--they could very well be meaningless fibs!
Nonetheless, these are my concerns for the jurors not finding intent by ZA. MOO

The judge ruled that letting the "arranged marriage" and "honor killing" in would be prejudicial to the jury.
Where did you hear that FA walked back the 2 claims?


"Relative to the why evidence of a forced marriage was not allowed during the trial, this was because FA recanted the allegation she first made to teachers and investigators-- when later being questioned by the defense under oath."

 

[Seattle1]

Judge Denies Dismissal: “Parents Don’t Have Unchecked Power”​

Uploaded 7/29/25

See the excellent header notes for what this denial reveals. Also, an interesting analysis linked below about ZA's rights being denied when the school issued the no trespass notice without any appeal process, and how this affected the school's response to FA when she appeared at school claiming she feared her residence, and had no safe place to go. Was the school in error not to contact her parents when she had been reported missing?

Honor Killing Day7 Cross.pdf

drive.google.com

 

[Seattle1]

I have to go back and listen but I thought the defense attorney said that testimony where she lied was not related to this case and he quickly mentioned "France" or "French".


"During the trial, without being specific, FA was asked by the defense if she had lied during questioning, and later told the truth, and FA responded yes."

They can't say it's related to the case if it's been excluded as evidence during an evidentiary hearing!

 

[turaj]

Thanks for clarifying.
The school called CPS when Fatima and Isiah ran there getting away from where FA was attacked by her father.

IIRC: it was in the hospital that FA spoke with LE and CPS and Isiah's mom may have been there at the time with her son?
Isiah's father VB testified that he had not met FA before Oct.18th,
Curious if FA & IB are still dating or remained as close friends.

again I qualify this not having followed closely but Isiah said he had met her parents and yet I heard attorney;s for parents saying that they did not know who he was that day of attack?

 

[Izzylizzy]

They can't say it's related to the case if it's been excluded as evidence during an evidentiary hearing!

Thank you.......once again,

 

[Seattle1]

The judge ruled that letting the "arranged marriage" and "honor killing" in would be prejudicial to the jury.
Where did you hear that FA walked back the 2 claims?

Appears OP failed to read my entire post where I quoted the link where FA was interviewed by LE while in hospital, and her response to police was contrary to her testimony during trial.

Second, I read FA's deposition where she recanted her statement about being forced to marry an older man when she got to Iraq, but you can hear it in the first 7 minutes of the Court TV podcast linked below. Respectfully, not only am I local, but I've been following this case since October 2024, and didn't just crash the thread yesterday!

How Will Alleged 'Honor Killing' Impact Case Against Ihsan and Zahraa Ali | Opening Statements Po...

A judge ruled that the jury can't hear about an alleged arranged marriage, so how will motive play into Ihsan and Zahrra Ali's trial?

www.courttv.com

 

[arielilane]

THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. (Court TV) — A mother and father in Washington state are accused of trying to kill their teenage daughter.

Ihsan Ali and his wife, Zahraa Ali, are facing several charges, including attempted murder, following the incident at Timberline High School on October 18, 2024.

DAILY TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS​

DAY 11 – 7/30/25​

• VIDEO: WA v. Ihsan & Zahraa Ali, Day 11 | Attempted ‘Honor Killing’ Trial

DAY 10 – 7/29/25​

• VIDEO: WA v. Ihsan & Zahraa Ali, Day 10 | Attempted ‘Honor Killing’ Trial
• A Thurston County jury began its deliberation on Tuesday.
• The jury of nine men and three women will decide whether Ihsan and Zahraa Ali committed the crime of second-degree attempted murder and other charges against their 17-year-old daughter, Fatima Ali, for an incident that occurred on October 18, 2024.
• The jury deliberated just over seven hours before going home for the evening.

DAY 9 – 7/28/25​

• VIDEO: WA v. Ihsan & Zahraa Ali, Day 9 | Attempted ‘Honor Killing’ Trial
• The attorneys presented their final arguments to the jury today in the second-degree attempted murder trial of Ihsan and Zahraa Ali for the assault on their 17-year-old daughter, Fatima Ali.
• Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Heather Stone told the jurors that “The state is not asserting that Ihsan Ali showed up with the intent to kill his daughter, but when he goes into the events of October 18, 2024, Ihsan Ali’s intent changed.”
• Stone said that Zahraa Ali intended to only stop the teens who were attacking her husband, who was strangling her daughter, Fatima, and did nothing to assist Fatima.
• “You can not strangle your child to restrain them,” Stone told the jury.
  • WATCH: Attempted ‘Honor Killing’ Trial: Prosecution Closing Argument
• Defense Attorney Erik Kaeding said that the case against his client, Ihsan Ali, “boils down to 53 seconds.”
• Kaeding showed jurors frame-by-frame video of what occurred outside of Timberline High School. He pointed to Fatima’s boyfriend, “Isiah,” striking Ihsan Ali first while he was trying to convince his daughter to return home.
• Defense Attorney Tim Leary also pointed to the incident video showing that his client, Zahraa Ali, arrived on the scene after her husband and daughter were on the ground near the Intercity Transit bus stop.
• Leary said that Zahraa Ali was taking her family to Iraq because it was the last chance to “hit the reset button” in an attempt to get her daughter, Fatima, on the “right track.”
• “My client is different, you can’t allow yourself to look at her any differently and reach a decision because she’s different. The decision has to be the same whether or not her child grew up in kindergarten to junior year, and the mom is the head of the PTA. If she were the head of the PTA and did exactly like my client did, I don’t think she would be here,” Leary ended his closing statements to the jury.
  • WATCH: Attempted ‘Honor Killing’ Trial: Defense Closing Argument

DAY 8 – 7/24/25​

• VIDEO: WA v. Ihsan & Zahraa Ali, Day 8 | Attempted ‘Honor Killing’ Trial
• Attorneys met to discuss jury instructions and verdict form.
  • Both sides debated Zahraa Ali’s knowledge of her husband’s actions during the incident
  • Judge found sufficient evidence for second-degree assault and revised instructions to include Fatima’s name.
  • Disagreements arose regarding the inclusion of accomplice instructions for Ihsan Ali.
  • There were discussions surrounding the definition of assault, with video evidence referenced by counsel.
  • Judge allowed instructions for assault in the fourth degree after reviewing relevant case law.
  • Multiple jury instructions were reviewed and approved, with various name changes made.
  • The state attempted to amend the indictment after the presentation of evidence concluded.
  • A motion was made to add a notice of Domestic Violence to the Unlawful Imprisonment charge.
  • The Judge permitted the amendment to charges despite the defense’s objections.
  • The existing jury instructions remained unchanged following the amendments.
  • Defense attorneys entered not guilty pleas on behalf of their clients following revisions in the indictment.

DAY 7 – 7/23/25​

• VIDEO: WA v. Ihsan & Zahraa Ali, Day 7 | Attempted ‘Honor Killing’ Trial
• Prosecutors concluded their presentation of evidence. They called 27 witnesses during seven days of testimony.
• Both Ihsan Ali and Zahraa Ali chose not to testify in their second-degree attempted murder cases.
• Erik Kaeding, defense attorney for Ihsan Ali, concluded his presentation of evidence on Thursday. Kaeding called one witness to testify out of order during the state’s presentation of evidence.
• Tim Leary, who represents Zahraa Ali, chose not to present any evidence or witnesses, and rest on Thursday.
• A directed verdict motion for Ihsan Ali was denied. His attorney asked that the charges of first-degree assault and unlawful imprisonment be dropped because there was no evidence to show that Ihsan Ali intentionally tried to hold his daughter captive or cause permanent harm.
• Jurors watch surveillance video of the moment Zahraa Ali entered the premises of Timberline High School after receiving a letter of “no-trespass” from the Assistant Principal of the school almost two weeks prior.
• Surveillance video shown to the jury of “Fatima” and “Isiah” running to the school front office, and “Fatima’s” mother walking, then jogging close behind them.
• A contractor at the school said that Zahraa Ali entered the front door of the high school yelling, “My daughter, my daughter. Where is my daughter?” Zahraa Ali was asked to leave and yelled the same statement through the double glass doors again.
• “Noah,” a student at Timberline High School, told jurors that Zahraa Ali and her eldest daughter, Haneen, arrived at the school after Ihsan Ali was on the ground and students were trying to detain him. Once Fatima was free, “It appeared [Zahraa] had her arms around Fatima’s body, Noah said.
• Officer Tori Chavez was recalled by the state to show body camera video recording during interaction with Zahraa Ali. Prosecutors sought to demonstrate that Zahraa Ali spoke English and implied that “Isiah” was the perpetrator in the incident.
• On cross-examination, Officer Chavez was asked why she did not include Zahraa Ali’s statements in her supplemental report. Chavez said she was not the lead investigator on the case.
• A school contractor became emotional when describing Fatima as she ran back into the school seeking help. She described Fatima as thin and frail and looked “really afraid.”
• “Fatima” told school officials that her father “tried to kill me,” and he was “choking her.”
• Closing arguments begin on Monday, July 28.

More at link:

WA v. Ihsan & Zahraa Ali: Attempted "Honor Killing" Trial

UPDATE: Ihsan and Zahraa Ali were found not guilty of trying to kill their teen daughter, Fatima. Ihsan was convicted on the lesser charge.

www.courttv.com

Jul 30

 

[Izzylizzy]

There was buzz about this online and here's some confirmation.
FA was in court on Monday and was leaning on Isiah's mother.
The buzz was that the young couple is still together and that FA is living with his family.
It's heartwarming to know she has a caring mother figure and that Isiah's family didn't desert her.

We don't know FA's journey getting here @ 18 yrs old and if she was ever in state custody etc.

@ 13:00 video

Has the Prosecution Proven Its Case Against Ihsan and Zahraa Ali?

The fate of Ihsan and Zahraa Ali now rests in the hands of a jury deliberating whether the two attempted to murder their daughter, Fatima.

www.courttv.com

 

[pukasonqo2]

BBM

The “honor killing” may still be on the table if other family members agree with her parents. And the trial has brought even more “dishonor” to her family. I hope she can get help outside her family and “disappear.”

All brought by the parents not FA but of course those supporting the parents’ actions won’t see it that way; these so called “honour” killings seem to bring out the worst in people

‘Honour killings? It should be called the devil’s work’: Bekhal Mahmod on the murder of her sister

After Banaz Mahmod was killed by her father, uncle and three other men in 2006, it was her sister’s testimony that helped bring them to justice. Before the release of her memoir she tells of her rage at what happened and why she is still living in hiding

www.theguardian.com

 

[turaj]

WEll nothing today...so not a quick we all agree verdict.

There was buzz about this online and here's some confirmation.
FA was in court on Monday and was leaning on Isiah's mother.
The buzz was that the young couple is still together and that FA is living with his family.
It's heartwarming to know she has a caring mother figure and that Isiah's family didn't desert her.

We don't know FA's journey getting here @ 18 yrs old and if she was ever in state custody etc.

@ 13:00 video

Has the Prosecution Proven Its Case Against Ihsan and Zahraa Ali?

The fate of Ihsan and Zahraa Ali now rests in the hands of a jury deliberating whether the two attempted to murder their daughter, Fatima.

www.courttv.com

very interesting.

 

[turaj]

There was buzz about this online and here's some confirmation.
FA was in court on Monday and was leaning on Isiah's mother.
The buzz was that the young couple is still together and that FA is living with his family.
It's heartwarming to know she has a caring mother figure and that Isiah's family didn't desert her.

We don't know FA's journey getting here @ 18 yrs old and if she was ever in state custody etc.

@ 13:00 video

Has the Prosecution Proven Its Case Against Ihsan and Zahraa Ali?

The fate of Ihsan and Zahraa Ali now rests in the hands of a jury deliberating whether the two attempted to murder their daughter, Fatima.

www.courttv.com

Wow that is quite a situation with her living with them...she is very lucky but if I were his parents I don't know that I could sleep at night. The Ali family is extended and most of them probably agree with the parents and do not want to see her with Isiah. Don't really know but family ties in their culture are very strong. These kids are so young ...what a situation.