THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. (Court TV) — A Washington State jury acquitted Ihsan Ali and his wife Zahraa Ali of the top count of attempted second-degree murder for an incident involving their then-17-year-old daughter.
On October 18, 2024, Fatima planned to run away from home to avoid going on a trip to Iraq. Her family searched for Fatima throughout the morning and located her with her boyfriend, Isiah, on the campus of Timberline High School. The incident between Fatima and her father was captured on surveillance video from an Intercity Transit Bus approaching the school, as well as videos from several bystanders.
Zahrra and Ihsan Ali appear in court July 15, 2025, during their attempted murder trial. (Court TV)
Prosecutors argued that Ihsan Ali was angry with his daughter and placed her in a chokehold and squeezed her neck, all while students attempted to free Fatima from her father’s grasp.
Defense attorneys say they saw the incident differently and that the incident amounted to 53 seconds, and there was no clear evidence that either parent tried to harm Fatima, and was attempting to take her home after she left home for a second time in the same month.
Zahraa Ali, who was acquitted of the top counts but convicted of violating a no-contact order filed on behalf of Isaiah’s father, has served more than the allotted time for the crime. She was released from Thurston County Adult Detention Center following the verdict and must abide by any existing no-contact orders that remain in effect. Zahraa has been in jail since October 2024.
When asked what she would say to her daughter, Fatima, Zahraa said, “I want her to come home. I love her. I always love her.”
Ihsan Ali was acquitted of the top count of attempted second-degree murder but was convicted of second-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment, and a misdemeanor of assault in the fourth degree.
At their sentencing hearing on Aug. 18, 2025, Ihsan was sentenced to the maximum of 14 months for his conviction, to be followed by 18 months of community service. He was also ordered to have no contact with his daughter, Fatima, for 10 years.
DAILY TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS
DAY 12 – 7/31/25
- VIDEO: WA v. Ihsan & Zahraa Ali, Day 12 | Attempted ‘Honor Killing’ Trial
- A Thurston County jury acquitted Ihsan and Zahraa Ali of the top count of attempted second-degree murder for an incident involving their then-17-year-old daughter, Fatima.
- The jury deliberated just over 19 hours over three days.
- There was one question on the third day of deliberations. The jury sought clarification on whether Zahraa’s charge of burglary pertained to Isaiah or the premises of Timberline High School. They were told to refer to the jury instructions.
- Zahraa Ali, who was acquitted of the top counts but convicted of violating a no-contact order filed on behalf of Isaiah’s father, has served more than the allotted time for the crime. She was released from Thurston County Adult Detention Center following the verdict and must abide by any existing no-contact orders that remain in effect. Zahraa has been in jail since October 2024.
- Ihsan Ali will stay behind bars until sentencing. He was acquitted of the top count of attempted second-degree murder but was convicted of second-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment, and a misdemeanor of assault in the fourth degree. Ihsan faces a 12-month prison sentence but has been in jail since his arrest last November.
- During the reading of the verdict, Fatima was not present. Also, missing from the courtroom were Isaiah, Isaiah’s parents, and the witnesses who testified. The courtroom was filled with correction officers, the media, and other attorneys. It was later learned that Barnes was outside the courtroom during the reading of the verdict and had no comment following the verdict.
- Sentencing set for Monday, August 18.
DAY 11 – 7/30/25
- VIDEO: WA v. Ihsan & Zahraa Ali, Day 11 | Attempted ‘Honor Killing’ Trial
- The court received a question from the jury before lunch, asking for a definition for “legal authority.” The jury was instructed to re-read the jury instructions.
- The jury took a short break during the noon hour.
- Deliberations continue Thursday.
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.
- 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.
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.
DAY 6 – 7/22/25
- VIDEO: WA v. Ihsan & Zahraa Ali, Day 6 | Attempted ‘Honor Killing’ Trial
- Dr. Joyce Gilbert, a pediatrician, showed jurors “Fatima’s” CT angiogram scans to show air trapped outside her trachea following the incident with her father on October 18, 2024.
- On cross-examination, Dr. Gilbert acknowledged that cerebral edema could result from someone hitting their head or being punched by someone.
- WATCH: Attempted ‘Honor Killing’ Trial: Day 6 Recap
- Elizabeth Robinson, a mental health specialist at Timberline High School, testified that she is bound by the state’s confidentiality law not to disclose information regarding runaway youth. Robinson was not obligated to notify “Fatima’s” parents.
- When asked if Robinson would contact the school resource officer, call law enforcement, or child protective services regarding serious incidents, none were called in “Fatima’s” case.
- Zahraa Ali was issued a no-trespass letter on September 17, 2024, following an incident with “Isiah” the day before. Zahraa informed school officials about an incident that had occurred the weekend before involving her daughter.
- WATCH: Attempted ‘Honor Killing’ Trial: Former WWE Star Analyzes Chokehold Video
- WATCH: Assistant Principal Says Phone Alerted Her of School Lockdown
DAY 5 – 7/21/25
- VIDEO: WA v. Ihsan & Zahraa Ali, Day 5 | Attempted ‘Honor Killing’ Trial
- Dr. Sung-Won Kim, an Otolaryngologist with St. Peter’s Hospital, and treated “Fatima”, testified that she had supplemental air around her trachea. The amount of air in her neck was not a large amount.
- By the following morning of treatment, the supplemental air had resolved, according to Dr. Kim.
- When asked on cross-examination, Dr. Kim said the amount of force to “Fatima’s” neck was similar to a “firm handshake.”
- Zahraa Ali arrived on the scene to find “Isiah” punching her husband multiple times, and she was visibly upset.
- Zaharra Ali told the police officers on scene that “Isiah” was “changing her daughter’s mind, and he was a danger to her.” According to law enforcement, Zahraa never asked about the health and welfare of “Fatima.”
- WATCH: Attempted ‘Honor Killing’ Trial: Day 5 Recap
DAY 4 – 7/17/25
- VIDEO: WA v. Ihsan & Zahraa Ali, Day 4 | Attempted ‘Honor Killing’ Trial
- Forensic Nurse Examiner Senovia Rivas stated that she specializes in strangulation, particularly symptoms that are not visible.
- Recalled that Fatima reported that her dad had grabbed her hoodie and placed her in a headlock; mom grabbed her neck with her hands; she thought she was going to die.
- Rivas detailed symptoms of strangulation: Dizziness, numbness, headache, memory issues (“life flashing before eyes”), visual changes, sore throat, difficulty swallowing/breathing/speaking, hyperventilation, and pain in neck/shoulder/hip.
- Rivas said she observed petechiae (small red spots) on her eye and face, abrasions and discoloration on neck and shoulder.
- Family Nurse Practitioner Lisa Wahl, who works at the Providence Abuse and Intervention Center, testified that she has performed dozens of strangulation exams.
- Said she examined Fatima a few weeks after she was initially treated in the ER. At that time, Fatima still had symptoms: Blurry vision (had gotten orse since strangulation), especially when stressed.
- Fatima also had jaw/neck pain, and had to move slowly due to trauma recall. Said Fatima was still having neck pain as of December 5, 2024.
- Emergency Physician Dr. Jennifer Stankus reviewed Fatima’s medical records, police reports, and bus videos.
- Explained what Pneumomediastinum is: Air trapped in chest cavity; can be caused by blunt trauma, not commonly seen in strangulation. She believes Fatima’s case was mild, required only observation and antibiotics.
- WATCH: Attempted ‘Honor Killing’ Trial: Day 4 Recap
DAY 3 – 7/16/25
- VIDEO: WA v. Ihsan & Zahraa Ali, Day 3 | Attempted ‘Honor Killing’ Trial
- Fatima told jurors that she was “afraid” to talk to her parents and knew they would not like that she was dating.
- When asked if her mother, Zahraa Ali, would “hurt her,” Fatima replied, “No.”
- WATCH: Fatima Ali: My Mom Was ‘Not Trying to Hurt Me’
- “Isiah” told jurors that he met Fatima in his freshman year of school, and they began dating in his junior year. They had been dating for almost a year when Fatima’s family found out she was dating.
- WATCH: Fatima’s Boyfriend Admits He Knew She Wasn’t Allowed to Date
- “Isiah” was surprised to see Fatima at school. He described her as “tired,” like she had not slept.
- Counselors at Timberline High School asked “Isiah” to escort Fatima to the bus stop after school. As they walked along the path, they noticed a vehicle the same make and model as Ihsan Ali’s, and “hoped” that it was a student’s vehicle. The truck followed them to the bus stop and parked nearby.
- Fatima was visibly “shaking” when told her father was at the school.
- WATCH: Boyfriend: Fatima ‘Started Shaking’ Upon Learning Dad Was Outside School
- According to “Isiah,” Ihsan and Fatima began speaking softly. He remained near Fatima, offering support, and started rubbing her back. As they turned to board the bus, Ihsan grabbed Fatima by the hoodie. Isiah tried to separate them, and that’s when her father “sucker punched” him and “flew back a bit.” Ihsan turned and grabbed Fatima by her shoulders. When Isiah got up off the ground, he went over to them and began punching Ihsan Ali. He broke his hand in the process of saving Fatima.
- “Isiah” said that Ihsan Ali “looked angry” when he had his daughter in a chokehold.
- “Isiah” became emotional when describing how Fatima’s “face was looking pale, and her eyes were rolling back.”
- An eyewitness, “Zayla,” said she witnessed Ihsan Ali punch Isiah and then grab his daughter and put her into a chokehold. She told jurors that Fatima’s “lips turned purple.”
- “Caleb”, an eyewitness, said that “Isiah,” Fatima’s boyfriend, was trying to “de-antagonize” the situation.
- Another eyewitness, “Athena,” said that Fatima Ali was wearing baggy clothing and a COVID mask to conceal her identity and was carrying a lot of bags.
- “Athena” described trying to help free Fatima from her father’s grasp and dragging her and pulling her up after her father, Ihsan Ali, let go of Fatima.
- Zahraa Ali was screaming and crying at the sight of her husband and daughter on the ground. After Fatima was free, Zahraa tried to grab her daughter and place her arms around Fatima’s chest and neck.
- Detective Julie Mullen took the stand and confirmed she assisted in the investigation, including gathering medical records and conducting interviews (including interviews with both Fatima and Isiah).
- WATCH: Attempted ‘Honor Killing’ Trial: Day 3 Recap
DAY 2 – 7/15/25
- VIDEO: WA v. Ihsan & Zahraa Ali, Day 2 | Attempted ‘Honor Killing’ Trial
- The daughter of Ihsan and Zahraa Ali testified against her parents in their attempted murder case.
- Fatima told the jury that the conversation between her and her father began calmly, and they spoke softly in Arabic. She admitted to talking back to him, and the conversation grew louder, and her father looked “frustrated” before the assault.
- Fatima said as she was boarding the Intercity Transit Bus, when Ihsan Ali, her father, grabbed her by her hoodie and said, “My daughter.”
- When Fatima was asked about how she felt following the incident, she said, “Heartbroken for what my dad did and was afraid of dying.”
- A student who was waiting on the city transit bus stated he tried to help free Fatima by kicking Ihsan Ali in the head to free Fatima from her father’s grasp.
- Fatima Ali had visible scratches on the side of her neck.
- Witnesses describe Fatima as pale and lifeless, as her dad had her in a chokehold.
- Fatima testified that when she woke up, she remembers her mother’s voice and holding onto her by her chest and neck. She testified that her mother, Zahraa Ali, was not trying to hurt her and was sad.
- On the morning of October 18, 2024, Fatima Ali ran away from home because she did not want to travel to Iraq with her mom and her siblings. Fatima told jurors that she packed up all her clothes and hygiene products and took $100 from her mom before she left her home. She acknowledged that she was aware they were traveling to obtain Iraqi passports for her younger brothers.
- Jurors were shown images of injuries to “Isiah’s” face following the incident outside of his school, where he was attempting to protect his girlfriend, Fatima.
- Fatima and Isiah had been dating for a year before Fatima’s family found out she was dating, which is against the rules in her household.
- Ihsan and Zahraa Ali withdrew Fatima from high school during her senior year and enrolled her in online courses because she had been skipping school, and to keep her away from Isiah.
- A juror was excused with cause after falling ill during the proceedings and could not return.
DAY 1 – 7/14/25
- VIDEO: WA v. Ihsan & Zahraa Ali, Day 1 | Attempted ‘Honor Killing’ Trial
- Olivia Zhou delivered the State’s opening, saying students at Timberline High School witnessed a disturbing scene: Mr. Ali choking his daughter Fatima until her face went pale.
- Ihsan Ali’s defense attorney, Erik Kaeding, delivered his opening statement, saying the case centers on October 18, when Fatima left home early without telling anyone where she was going.
- Bus driver John Denicola said he worked the Route 68 shift on October 18, 2024, from 8:40 AM to 5:30 PM.
- WATCH: ‘He Was Choking Her’: Bus Driver Describes Chaotic Scene
- As he approached the Timberline High School stop, he saw a commotion that looked like a fight. He initially assumed it was rowdy teens, then realized an adult man was physically fighting with students.
- He witnessed the man grab a female student by the throat and take her to the ground; other students tried to intervene.
- Blew the bus horn to break it up but the man didn’t stop. Denicola exited the bus and yelled for him to “let her go.”
- Recalled the man was silent and focused, not reacting to punches from students trying to stop him.
- Confirmed that bus surveillance footage was recorded and reviewed.
- Eyewitness Mary Wagner said she and her husband, Josh, were returning from a late lunch when they saw what looked like a fight near Timberline High School. She initially thought it was a teenage altercation.
- WATCH: Witness Says Teen Girl ‘Couldn’t Breathe’ As Father Attacked Her
- They pulled into the left lane, stopped their Ram F120 truck, and both exited the vehicle; Josh crossed the road while Mary climbed into the driver’s seat and called 911.
- Surveillance images and bus video footage were shown in court, including shots of Mary and Josh during the incident. In the video, she heard a male voice exclaim, “She could not (expletive) breathe dude.”
- Eyewitness Josh Wagner said he and Mary were driving past Timberline High School on his birthday when he saw a group of kids fighting at a bus stop; he pulled over because it looked serious and unjust, especially when it’s more than a one-on-one fight.
- WATCH: Attempted ‘Honor Killing’ Trial: Day 1 Recap
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