Lang
9/13/24
A former University of Iowa student who fled the country after being accused of attempted murder and robbery has waived his right to a speedy trial.
21-year-old Ali Younes made that request during a court appearance on Friday. Younes reportedly strangled a woman into unconsciousness outside Art Building West on the UI campus in April of 2022 and stole jewelry from her valued at $20,000. Younes was later arrested and charged with Attempted Murder, 1st Degree Robbery and 1st Degree Theft. He fled to Jordan while awaiting trial, but his parents…who helped him escape from the U.S…were both arrested before they could join him. They have each since been sentenced to five-year prison terms on aiding and abetting charges.
Younes…who returned to the U.S. and was booked into the Johnson County Jail on September 2nd…now faces an additional charge of Escape by a Felon, a Class D Felony. If convicted on all current charges against him, Younes faces a maximum of 65 years in prison.
Court records show it could be up to one year before the trial takes place.