Nov. 15 (UPI) — A bench trial for slain college student Laken Riley, allegedly killed by an undocumented immigrant, got underway in Athens, Ga., Friday with the playing of a graphic video depicting when her body was discovered.
Riley, 22, a student at Augusta University, was killed in February. Her body was found in a wooded area of the nearby University of Georgia campus in Athens.
Jose Ibarra, a native of Venezuela who entered the country illegally, has pleaded not guilty to 10 counts including malice murder, three counts of felony murder, kidnapping with bodily injuries, and aggravated assault with intent to rape.
The accusations against Ibarra became highly politicized during this year’s presidential campaign as President-elect Donald Trump highlighted the case in attacking President Joe Biden ‘s handling of the southern U.S. border, while Democrats accused Trump of exploiting a tragedy for political gain.
Riley’s killing also spawned several new state laws cracking down on illegal immigration , including a measure in Georgia requiring local sheriffs to verify the immigration status of anyone over age 18 who has been arrested, detained or even suspected of committing a crime.