CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Ali Younes is on bench trial for an alleged attempted murder and robbery on the University of Iowa campus in 2022. The trial began Tuesday.
Ali Younes is accused of trying to kill a woman on the University of Iowa campus in 2022 and taking her earrings.
During his pre-trial release, he removed his ankle monitor and fled to Jordan.
The courtroom saw video of Younes’ interview with a sergeant with the University of Iowa Campus Police on Wednesday.
During the interview, Younes denied attacking the woman. He did admit to taking her jewelry and leaving when other people arrived to the scene.
His former roommate testified about the moment he turned Younes in. He said “I received a Hawk alert on my phone. It was a public safety notification about a crime that occurred near art building west. Along with that Hawk alert, there were photos of the suspect. I noticed the red, white, and blue jacket. Pictures of the suspect and recognized that to be Ali Younes.”
He mentioned he called the number provided on the Hawk alert when he realized it was Ali Younes.
Younes opted not to testify in his own defense.
Both sides will submit written closing arguments to the judge during the next several weeks before the judge makes a ruling in the case.
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