Emotional outburst in Spokane courtroom over a man facing murder charges

February 3, 2020 6:33 PM

Nikki Torres,

Posted: February 3, 2020 6:33 PM

Updated: February 4, 2020 7:30 AM

by Nikki Torres

SPOKANE, Wash. — There was a dramatic courtroom outburst at a hearing for a man facing murder charges. 30-year-old Yasir Darraji pleaded not guilty. He sat in court with his arms crossed almost the whole time, seemingly calm. That was not the case for some people in the pews of the courtroom. The judge had to call security because two women got out of hand.

An afternoon filled with high emotions and intense moments in Spokane District Court. Two women were screaming and trying to hit and kick each other as 4 News Now was leaving the courtroom. This all happened just minutes after Darraji made his first court appearance. He was arrested Saturday for the murder of his former wife, Ibtihal Darraji.

Spokane firefighters and police officers responded to a frightening scene last Thursday evening when they found Ibtihal’s body inside a burning car near Thornton Murphy Park. Over the weekend, police found probable cause to arrest Yasir in connection to her death.

Yasir and Ibtihal have two children together. They were married in Iraq in 2006. In 2015, they divorced.

A friend of the two told detectives that Yasir was upset with some of his ex-wife’s actions since they split. They said Ibtihal would occasionally go to night clubs, and even though they were no longer married, Yasir believed the behavior brought shame to his family.

Ibtihal worked at Saint Aloysius Church, where she told a co-worker she was concerned for her safety. Monday afternoon, 4 News Now spoke with one of Yasir’s friends. He asked that his face not be shown on camera, but he believes Yasir is innocent

“He’s a good guy. He’s just taking care of his kids. He just started own business,” Ahmed said.

The former husband and wife clearly had a community concerned for them, it was standing room only in the courtroom for his hearing, with more than 40 people in the pews.

Though Yasir appeared emotionless in his seat, the feelings were high on the opposite on the other side of that screen, beyond those walls.

4 News Now does not know who the women in the courtroom were, and friends of Darraji told 4 News Now they didn’t know either.

Darraji is expected in court again in the next month.

His bond is set at $1 million. If he pays that bond, there will be rules with his release. He will not be able to have any weapons, he must surrender his passport, and he cannot have any contact with the people involved with his case, which includes one of his children.

Both of his children tonight are in foster care, as of Monday night.