Additional Coverage:
- Laken Riley ‘fought for her life’ against killer who was ‘hunting for females’ on day of murder, trial hears (newsbreak.com)
A man named Jose Ibarra is standing trial for the murder of Laken Riley, a nursing student at the University of Georgia.
The prosecution alleges that Ibarra was hunting for women on campus when he encountered Riley on her morning jog. She fought back against him, and he killed her by striking her in the head and choking her.
Ibarra was arrested the following day. Prosecutors believe he intended to sexually assault Riley and are seeking a life sentence without parole.
The defense has tried to have the trial moved out of Athens and to have certain evidence excluded. However, Ibarra has waived his right to a jury trial and opted for a bench trial.
The case has sparked debate over immigration, as Ibarra is a Venezuelan national who entered the US illegally in 2022.