LACEY, Wash. — A Thurston County jury has found a Lacey couple not guilty of second-degree attempted murder in the case involving the alleged attempted “honor killing” of their 17-year-old daughter. The incident, which drew national attention, occurred outside Timberline High School in October 2024.
However, the jury did convict both parents on lesser charges stemming from the same violent encounter.
Father Convicted of Assault, Unlawful Imprisonment
Ihsan Ali, 44, was found:
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Not guilty of second-degree attempted murder
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Not guilty of first-degree assault
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Guilty of second-degree assault
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Guilty of fourth-degree assault
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Guilty of unlawful imprisonment
Ali was captured on surveillance footage choking his daughter on the ground in the school parking lot. Multiple witnesses testified that the girl’s eyes rolled back during the attack, and that her 16-year-old boyfriend tried to intervene but was allegedly punched by Ali.
The altercation followed the daughter’s claims that her parents had planned to forcefully send her to Iraq to marry an older man, which she said prompted her to run away from home.
Mother Found Guilty of Protective Order Violation
Zahraa Ali, 40, the girl’s mother, was:
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Found guilty of violating a protective order
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Found not guilty of second-degree attempted murder
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Found not guilty of second-degree assault
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Found not guilty of second-degree burglary
Zahraa was reportedly present during the assault and was accused of also attacking her daughter. According to court documents, the victim had previously reported abuse from both parents, and had a protective order in place before the incident occurred.
The Incident
The confrontation took place after the daughter fled her family’s home. The couple allegedly tracked her down at Timberline High School, where the attack unfolded in public view. Court documents reveal that a bystander ultimately helped the girl escape the assault and break free from her father’s grip.
Community Reaction and Legal Significance
The case raised concerns over forced marriage, family violence, and cultural tensions surrounding so-called “honor-based” violence. Prosecutors had pursued attempted murder charges, arguing that the attack was motivated by the parents’ intent to punish their daughter for resisting an arranged marriage.
Although the jury did not find enough evidence to convict on the attempted murder charges, the convictions for assault and unlawful imprisonment reflect the severity of the incident.
The parents are now awaiting sentencing on the charges for which they were convicted. The daughter has since been placed under protective care, according to legal filings.
What’s Next
Sentencing hearings for Ihsan Ali and Zahraa Ali are expected to be scheduled in the coming weeks. Prosecutors have not indicated whether they plan to appeal or seek any further charges in the case.
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