The test for Jose Ibarra, a Colombian national accused of murdering 22-year-old medical student Laken Riley, began in a Georgia court on Friday.
Riley was jogging near Lake Herrick on February 22, 2024, when she was killed. Ibarra faces multiple charges, including hate crime, criminal death, theft, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, and tampering with evidence.
Riley’s suicide was the subject of a friend’s report of her missing after she ran house, according to Fox News.
Ibarra requested a bench trial, but prosecutor Patrick Haggard chose not to use a jury to decide the case. Legal analyst Philip Holloway said,” He’s fast-tracking himself to life without parole by doing this”.
The prosecutors presented evidence connecting Ibarra to the violence, including prints, DNA, smartphone data, and clothes found near his residence. Additionally, he was linked to a “peeping Tom” event on campus the night of Riley’s passing, which is a man who secretly enjoys watching other people dress or perform sexual acts.
” She fought for her existence”, the prosecutor said during opening remarks. She fought for her respect, and she led the charge against this defendant, who left behind criminal information.
Ibarra entered the United States improperly in 2022 through El Paso, a Texas town, and was released on parole. Diego Ibarra, his nephew, is accused of being a victim of natural card fraud and allegedly has ties to the Tren de Aragua group in Venezuela.
Around 20 of Riley’s community members were present at the hearing. On all works, Ibarra has entered a not-guilty plea.
