The family of Laken Riley — the Georgia nursing student allegedly killed by an illegal immigrant earlier this year — teared up as crime scene details were revealed in court Friday, according to a report.
Riley’s emotional friends and family packed the court in Athens for Jose Ibarra’s marathon hearing ahead of his trial next month with one witness describing how the 22-year-old victim’s body was covered in dirt and mulch when it was found on Feb. 22, according to a report by WSB-TV.
Ibarra, the Venezuelan migrant whose family has ties to the dangerous Tren de Aragua gang, is charged with murdering the Augusta University College Nursing student while she was on a morning run on the Athens campus in February. The case has became a flashpoint on immigration when it emerged Ibarra had entered the US illegally but was still released.
Jose Ibarra was in court for a hearing Friday ahead of his trial next month in the case of Laken Riley’s murder. AP
Ibarra is accused of hitting Laken Riley on the head and asphyxiating her while she was out for a morning run. Allyson Phillips/FacebookJury selection is slated to begin Nov. 13.
Judge H. Patrick Haggard listened to testimony from several witnesses and short arguments Friday, including about whether to move Ibarra’s trial out of Athens on the grounds he wouldn’t be able to get a fair shake because of publicity and local anger over his case.
Haggard said he would decide during jury selection whether moving the trial would be necessary. But he seemed to tip his hand, indicating he didn’t plan to do so when he said: “I’m optimistic that we can get a jury picked … in a couple of days.”
A final hearing before trial is set for Nov. 1.
Riley’s body was found close to her apartment after she failed to return home after her morning jog.
Ibarra allegedly pulled up her clothes to sexually assault her — then hit her on the head and asphyxiated her, prosecutors say.
Ibarra has pleaded not guilty to the 10 counts of malice murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault and related crimes.
Judge H. Patrick Haggard is hearing four motions Friday, including Ibarra’s motion to move his trial over publicity in the case. APHe’s being held in jail without bail pending his trial.
The case sparked national debate since Ibarra entered the country illegally through El Paso, Texas, and was released by immigration authorities due to a lack of space.
Ibarra was then arrested in New York City in August 2023 for riding a gas-powered moped with a 5-year-old on the back without a helmet or belt.
He was released in that case before fleeing to Georgia to be with his brother Diego, one of the family members linked with the now-notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, officials have said.
The pair got arrested there for allegedly stealing from a Walmart in September.
With Post wires
