Aniah Blanchard | Auburn Police Department
A newly proposed law in Alabama would make it harder for people suspected of violent crimes to make bail.
According to ABC News Alabama’s House Judiciary Committee has passed a bill, named for Aniah Blanchard, that is designed to make it easier for authorities to hold suspects accused of violent crimes without bail. The bill must pass a vote in the Alabama Senate before it can become law.
Blanchard, the stepdaughter of UFC heavyweight Walt Harris, was abducted in October 2019. Her remains were discovered a month later. She was 19-years-old.
Ibraheem Yazeed has been charged with kidnapping and murdering Blanchard. When Blanchard was abducted, Yazeed was out on bond in connection to a separate kidnapping case. In that case Yazeed was accused of beating an elderly man almost to death.
Yazeed was free and awaiting trial after posting a bond $280,000. The current law in Alabama states that bail can only be denied if “the person is charged with a capital offense and the proof of guilt is evident or the presumption of guilt is great.”
House Bill 81, also known as ‘Aniah’s Law’, requires a suspect to be held without bail “if no condition of release can reasonably protect the community from risk of physical harm to the accused, the public, or both.”
Members of Blanchard’s family were at the Alabama State House to watch the vote that passed ‘Aniah’s Law’. Blanchard’s mother Angela Harris spoke to media about the new bill.
“She would be fighting for this,” said Harris. “She’s speaking to me and telling me to fight for this. We have to save other people and do everything we can to prevent his from happening to other people.”
Yazeed is currently being held without bond. Prosecutors have stated that, should Yazeed be found guilty of killing Blanchard, the state would pursue the death penalty as punishment. Two other individuals received charges related to Blanchard’s killing. Those charges include hindering the prosecution and disposing of evidence. Those suspects are currently out on bail.