Two Lacey parents were sentenced Monday for the violent assault of their teenage daughter outside Timberline High School in an attack that required intervention from students and bystanders.
Ihsan Ali received approximately 20 months in prison after being convicted of assault in the second degree, unlawful imprisonment, and assault in the fourth degree for strangling his then-17-year-old daughter near a school bus stop in October 2024. His wife, Zahraa Ali, received 364 days with 83 days suspended for violating a court order.
Thurston County Superior Court Judge Christine Schaller imposed maximum penalties for each charge against Ihsan Ali and required him to complete domestic violence evaluation and parenting classes. The court also issued a 10-year no-contact order protecting the victim and a 24-month order protecting her boyfriend, who was also assaulted during the incident.
Multiple witnesses testified that Ihsan Ali strangled his daughter until she had a seizure and lost consciousness before students and adults intervened to stop the attack. The assault occurred in broad daylight outside the school, requiring several people to pry the teenager from her father’s grasp.
A jury found both parents not guilty of attempted murder after three days of deliberation. However, Ihsan Ali was convicted of assault and unlawful imprisonment charges, while Zahraa Ali was found guilty only of violating a court order related to previous incidents at the school.
During Monday’s sentencing hearing, the victim delivered an emotional statement describing years of abuse within the family home. She directly confronted her father, saying “How can you call yourself a father, you tried to kill me with your own hands.” The teenager also criticized her mother for failing to intervene during the assault.
Judge Schaller delivered pointed remarks to Ihsan Ali during sentencing, emphasizing that he showed no remorse and was determined to maintain control regardless of consequences. “You were not going to let her go, and you were not going to let her breathe,” the judge stated, adding that children are not property for parents to control.
The case initially involved allegations about the daughter’s refusal to participate in an arranged marriage, though prosecutors later stated there was no express evidence that such motivation applied to either defendant. The victim told reporters she had previously sought help but only received adequate support after the public assault forced official intervention.
For the teenage victim, who chose to remain anonymous, the sentencing represents both justice and an opportunity to move forward with her life away from an abusive family situation. Judge Schaller concluded by telling the survivor that she has the power to define her own identity and that no one can take away her strength.
