The murder trial for the suspect accused of killing 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley on the University of Georgia’s campus is expected to start in mid-November, a judge said Friday, as the defense is seeking to move the high-profile case to another county.
Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard said jury selection would likely begin on Nov. 13, with the trial starting on Nov. 18.
The suspect, Jose Ibarra, appeared in the Athens-Clarke County courtroom for the hearing Friday morning.
Jose Antonio Ibarra appears in court in Athens, Georgia, Aug. 2, 2024.
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His defense is seeking to move the trial out of Athens-Clarke County, arguing in a motion filed on Thursday that it “will not be possible to find an impartial jury to hear the matter.” They also cited the “extensive media coverage” of the case in the county.
Haggard preliminarily gave prosecutors within 10 days of the motion’s filing to respond to the request and said he would like to have a motions hearing sometime in late September or early October.
The defense said the schedule sounded reasonable. Prosecutors said they would like to wrap up the trial proceedings before Thanksgiving for the jurors, which Haggard said was “not lost on me.”
Ibarra, 26, was indicted by an Athens Clarke County grand jury on malice murder and felony murder and other offenses in May. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Riley, a student at Augusta University, was found dead in a wooded area on the Athens campus on Feb. 22 after she didn’t return from a run. The indictment alleges Ibarra killed her by “inflicting blunt force trauma to her head and by asphyxiating her” and seriously disfigured her head by striking her “multiple times” with a rock.
Laken Riley is seen in an undated photo.
Augusta University
Additional charges in the 10-count indictment include aggravated battery, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape, obstructing or hindering a person making an emergency telephone call and tampering with evidence. The latter charge alleged that he “knowingly concealed” evidence — a jacket and gloves — involving the offense of malice murder.
He was also charged with a peeping tom offense. The indictment alleges that on the same day as Riley’s murder, he spied through the window of a different person who lived in an apartment on campus.
In a separate motion filed on Thursday, the defense sought to sever that charge from the indictment, arguing that the offense is against a different alleged victim and would “create significant prejudice.”
Ibarra was denied bond following his arrest on Feb. 23 and is being held at the Clarke County Jail.
Police have said they do not believe Ibarra — a migrant from Venezuela who officials said illegally entered the U.S. in 2022 — knew Riley and that this was a “crime of opportunity.” Her death has become a rallying cry for immigration reform from many conservatives.
The start date for the murder trial of the suspect accused of killing Laken Riley has been set, marking a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for the victim and her loved ones. The trial is expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Riley’s tragic death and provide closure for those affected by the senseless act of violence.
Laken Riley, a 25-year-old woman from a small town in Ohio, was reported missing in October of last year. Her body was discovered weeks later in a remote area, sparking a widespread investigation into her disappearance and death. The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed to the public, was arrested shortly after Riley’s body was found and has been held in custody ever since.
The upcoming trial will be a crucial step in determining the guilt or innocence of the accused and holding them accountable for their alleged actions. The prosecution is expected to present evidence linking the suspect to Riley’s murder, including forensic analysis, witness testimony, and any other relevant information that may help establish a motive for the crime.
The trial is also likely to bring attention to the issue of violence against women and the need for greater awareness and prevention efforts in communities across the country. Riley’s tragic death serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that many women face on a daily basis and the importance of taking action to protect and support those who are most vulnerable.
As the trial date approaches, Riley’s family and friends are preparing themselves for what will undoubtedly be a difficult and emotional process. They are hopeful that justice will be served and that they will finally be able to find some peace and closure after months of uncertainty and grief.
In the meantime, the community continues to rally around Riley’s memory, honoring her life and legacy through various tributes and memorials. Her story has touched the hearts of many, serving as a reminder of the preciousness of life and the need to cherish every moment we have with our loved ones.
As we await the start of the murder trial for the suspect accused of killing Laken Riley, let us remember her and all those who have been affected by violence, and let us continue to work towards a future where such tragedies are no longer a reality. May justice prevail, and may Laken Riley’s memory live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
