Ibraheem Yazeed attorneys claim insufficient evidence, court errors, ask for new trial

MACON COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) - The legal team for Ibraheem Yazeed has filed a motion for a new trial in Macon County Circuit Court, challenging Yazeed’s May 7, 2026 convictions for murder and felony murder, according to the court filing dated June 1, 2026.

Yazeed was sentenced in the 2019 killing of Aniah Blanchard.

In the motion, Yazeed’s lawyers argue the jury’s verdict was against the weight of the evidence and not supported beyond a reasonable doubt. The filing says the prosecution failed to prove a “prima facie case” for the murder-related offenses and that the evidence presented was insufficient to support the convictions.

The motion also claims the verdicts and resulting judgment are “mutually exclusive” and raises double jeopardy concerns, arguing that because both convictions and sentences stem from a single transaction involving the same victim, the court lacked jurisdiction to sentence him on both counts.

Attorneys further allege there were trial errors involving objections, questioning of witnesses, and the court’s rulings on the admissibility of testimony and physical evidence. They also contend the state’s use of Alabama’s “Speedy Trial Act” provision was unconstitutional as applied in this case, claiming selective enforcement violated Yazeed’s rights to equal protection and due process.

The defense is asking the judge to set aside the verdict, enter a judgment of acquittal, or order a new trial.

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