The illegal migrant accused of murdering Georgia nursing student Laken Riley waived his right to a jury trial Tuesday — with his fate now set to be determined by a judge.
Jose Ibarra’s waiver was approved during a hearing in Athens-Clarke County Superior Court — just one day before jury selection was due to start in the case.
Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan who illegally came into the US over the southern border, is accused of killing the 22-year-old in February by hitting her in the head, asphyxiating her and intending to sexually assault her.
Jose Ibarra listens through an interpreter during a hearing of the killing of a Georgia nursing student at Athens-Clarke County Superior Court, Tuesday, November 12, 2024, in Athens, Georgia. AP
Laken Riley was murdered in Feb. 2024. Allyson Phillips/Facebook
Nursing student Laken Riley was found dead on the grounds of University of Georgia after going out for a jog. Allyson Phillips/Facebook
The motion came after Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard previously ruled that fingerprints collected from Ibarra’s phone could be used as evidence.
The defense team had requested they be thrown out, claiming they were collected illegally.
During Tuesday’s hearing, prosecutor Sheila Ross told the judge that Ibarra’s attorneys had contacted her last week to say he wanted a bench trial.
Jose Ibarra in court on Tuesday. APAfter questioning Ibarra via a translator, the judge said he’d found Ibarra had made the decision to waive a jury trial willingly.
His trial is now slated to get underway Friday.
Prosecutors have already indicated they are not seeking the death penalty and will instead push for a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
In addition to a 10-count indictment in connection with Riley’s murder, Ibarra is also facing another charge for allegedly peeping at a University of Georgia staff member on the same day as the slaying.
Riley’s body was found on Feb. 22 covered in dirt and mulch after a friend told police she had not returned from a morning run near the University of Georgia campus, authorities said.
The case quickly ignited an immigration firestorm after it emerged Ibarra had entered entered the US illegally in El Paso, Texas, in September 2022 — but was released after about a day in custody.
Allyson Phillips, mother of Laken Hope Riley, cries during a video as Jose Ibarra appears in court for a motion hearing, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Athens, Ga. APThe Venezuelan national had made his way to New York City where he was arrested in August 2023 for riding a gas-powered moped with a 5-year-old on the back without a helmet or belt.
After being cut loose from custody, Ibarra allegedly fled to Georgia where his brother Diego – who has ties to the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua – lives, according to authorities.
Ibarra has pleaded not guilty to the charges, including with one malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, hindering an emergency telephone call, tampering with evidence and peeping Tom.
