Aniah Blanchard Trial Begins, Community Seeks Justice

0:00This is Birmingham News today, every story, every city, every day. Opening statements in the trial of a Naya Blanchard get underway on Monday. The 19-year-old Southern Union State Community College student was killed back in 2019. After a week of picking jurors, lawyers settled on 12 jurors and four alternates last Friday. Ibrahim Yazeed, a 36-year-old from Montgomery, faces capital murder charges, and prosecutors want the death penalty. He has entered a not guilty plea. Blanchard's body turned up in rural Macon County after she was shot. The case grabbed headlines and sparked big changes in the justice system. Home with city leaders are showing support by lighting up city hall in blue to honor her and her family. They call it a tough time for everyone who knew her, noting she was a local graduate, whose life ended way too early. This tragedy directly led to Alabama passing a Naya's law. It lets judges deny bond to people arrested for violent crimes, aiming to keep community safer.

1:00As the trial kicks off, all eyes are on the courtroom for updates. The community waits to see justice serve after years of waiting. The Daily News Now is made possible with support from our sponsor. It looks like a pillow. It sounds like headphones. Built for comfort and sound, S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com.