House Committee Approves 'Aniah's Law' Bail Reform Bill

MONTGOMERY, AL — The Alabama House Judiciary Committee this week approved a bail reform bill named for Homewood resident Aniah Blanchard, who was found dead in November. Blanchard's accused killer was out on bond for charges including kidnapping and attempted murder.

The bill would give judges more freedom to deny bond for violent criminals. Currently, judges can only deny bond in capital murder cases.

"Judges have come to me and said there are certain individuals we know if we let back out on the street pending trial, that they’re going to repeat again," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Chip Brown (R- Mobile) in a statement. "They’re going to commit heinous crimes. This would provide them the opportunity to keep those people behind bars pending trial."

The bill passed the committee unanimously.