The trial for Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan nationwide accused of murdering 22-year-old nursing pupil Laken Riley, started in a Georgia courtroom on Friday.
Riley was jogging close to Lake Herrick on February 22, 2024, when she was killed. Ibarra faces a number of costs, together with malice homicide, felony homicide, kidnapping, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, and tampering with proof.
In accordance with Fox Information, the investigation into Riley’s demise started when a good friend reported her lacking after she didn’t return residence from a run.
Decide Patrick Haggard granted Ibarra’s request for a bench trial, that means the choose would determine the decision as a substitute of a jury. Authorized skilled Philip Holloway mentioned, “He’s fast-tracking himself to life with out parole by doing this.”
The prosecution introduced proof connecting Ibarra to the crime, together with fingerprints, DNA, cellphone information, and clothes discovered close to his residence. Investigators additionally linked him to a “peeping Tom” incident on campus the morning of Riley’s demise, that means an individual who derives sexual pleasure from secretly watching folks undressing or partaking in sexual exercise.
“She fought for her life,” the prosecutor mentioned throughout opening statements. “She fought for her dignity and in that combat, she induced this defendant to depart forensic proof behind.”
Ibarra entered the US illegally in 2022 via El Paso, a Texas metropolis, and was launched on parole. His brother, Diego Ibarra, faces costs associated to inexperienced card fraud and has alleged ties to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
Round 20 of Riley’s members of the family had been current on the listening to. Ibarra has pleaded not responsible on all counts.
