Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, has waived his right to a jury trial in the case of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley’s death, setting the stage for a bench trial beginning Friday morning. The Athens, Georgia resident faces charges including three counts of felony murder, malice murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape, and being a “peeping Tom.”
In a bench trial, the judge determines guilt or innocence without a jury. Prosecutors are seeking life in prison without parole for Ibarra.
Riley, 22, was found dead on February 22 behind Lake Herrick at the University of Georgia. She had been jogging when she was attacked. Police said she suffered blunt force trauma and described the crime as opportunistic, with no prior connection between the suspect and victim. Ibarra, a Venezuelan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally in 2022, lived less than a mile from the campus.
Riley had recently transferred from the University of Georgia to Augusta University’s College of Nursing. Her father, Jason Riley, expressed frustration over her death becoming a political talking point, with Republicans, including Donald Trump, using the case to advocate stricter border policies.
“She was much more than that,” Jason Riley said. “She was an angel, with so much life left to give. If everyone lived like Laken, the world would be a better place.”
Ibarra’s attorneys have not commented ahead of the trial, which begins Friday at 9 a.m.
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