Pregnant Alabama Woman Who Killed Another Expectant Mother Sentenced to Life in Prison

An Alabama woman was sentenced to life in prison for killing a pregnant woman in front of her children. The defendant was also eight months pregnant when she shot another expectant mother.

Aaniyah Nowden, 24, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2023 murder of Justina Wallace, 36. Prosecutors initially sought the death penalty, but the court ultimately handed down a life sentence.

The incident occurred on July 7, 2023. According to authorities, Wallace was at a home in the 3200 block of 17th Avenue North in Birmingham, Alabama, when Nowden approached her. At the time, the victim was several months pregnant, and her toddler daughter was also present. Wallace’s two sons were also at the scene, just a few feet away.

Nowden, who was also pregnant, fired a weapon at Wallace. Wallace was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition but died from her injuries the following day.

During legal proceedings, Nowden’s defense team argued she acted in self-defense, describing the victim as “aggressive” and “belligerent.” Prosecutors rejected the claim, saying Wallace did not pose any threat.

​“This defendant shot and killed a pregnant woman who was carrying nothing but her baby, Sky, in her arms. Justina had no weapon, no gun; she wasn’t attacking anybody,” said Deputy District Attorney Jason Wilson.

During the trial, a possible motive behind the shooting was revealed. Nowden shared a personal relationship with the victim. The father of Wallace’s toddler was also the father of the child Nowden was carrying. Her baby was born while she was in custody.

​The path to Nowden’s sentencing was quite lengthy due to jury insufficiency. According to records, earlier this month, it ended in a mistrial after both the prosecution and the defense dismissed several potential jurors. In the second trial, the jury successfully found her guilty of the capital murder charge.

​On May 29, 2026, Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr said, “We are grateful for the hard work and verdict reached by the jurors in this case. The Deputy District Attorneys both did a wonderful job along with the law enforcement agency responsible. However, the reality is when emotions are high logic is low. There is absolutely no winners in this case.”

​Carr added, “People need to think before they grab that gun and change their lives forever. There are real consequences when you engage in violent emotional acts in Jefferson County.”