Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has offered his resounding endorsement of Aniah’s Law, which will appear as Amendment 1 on Tuesday’s general election ballot.
Signed into law last year by Gov. Kay Ivey, the law would provide judges broader discretion in requesting and denying bail to those accused of committing violent crimes.
Aniah’s Law, sponsored by State Rep. Chip Brown (R-Mobile), is named after Aniah Blanchard, a 19-year-old college student who was murdered by a man released on bond. The murderer had committed several violent offenses including kidnapping and attempted murder prior to her death.
In a video posted to social media Monday, Marshall insisted Aniah’s Law “is vital for public safety.”
“On Election Day, several proposed amendments to the state constitution will be on the ballot. One is vital for public safety,” said Marshall. “That would be Amendment 1, which creates what is known as Aniah’s Law.”
“As you will recall, Aniah Blanchard was the young woman who, in 2019, went missing and was later found murdered,” he said. “The man charged with Aniah’s abduction and murder was out on bond at the time he committed his heinous acts, despite already being charged with multiple violent crimes, including kidnapping.”
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In stressing the law’s importance, Marshall warned that Blanchard’s tragedy would not be the final of its kind.
“Aniah’s case was a terrible tragedy that drew national attention, but I am here to tell you that hers is not the only case of this kind — and it won’t be the last,” he said. “That’s why we need Aniah’s Law.
“Aniah’s Law — which you will find on your ballot as Amendment 1 — amends the state constitution to allow judges the discretion to deny bond to violent criminals like Aniah’s murderer. So, on Tuesday, be sure to vote yes on Amendment 1, which will keep dangerous criminals off the street and the public out of harm’s way.”
“And thank you to Aniah’s family for leading the charge to make Alabama a safer place.”
Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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