ATHENS, Ga. – Jose Ibarra, 26, was discovered responsible Wednesday on all counts within the homicide of 22-year-old nursing scholar Laken Riley. The decision was delivered late within the morning by Choose H. Patrick Haggard after a high-profile trial that spanned a number of days of testimony and shutting arguments.
The courtroom recessed following the decision and can reconvene at 12:30 p.m., when the decide is predicted to announce Ibarra’s sentence.
RAW: Jose Ibarra discovered responsible of killing Laken Riley
Jose Ibarra was discovered responsible of killing nursing scholar Laken Riley on Nov. 20. He was discovered responsible on all counts by a decide in an Athens courtroom.
The trial, held as a bench trial, concluded with the prosecution presenting a case centered on bodily, digital, and testimonial proof.Â
DNA matching Ibarra’s was discovered on Riley’s physique, and surveillance footage confirmed Riley operating close to the College of Georgia’s intramural fields on the morning of her loss of life. Further video proof allegedly captured Ibarra disposing of a jacket containing Riley’s DNA in a dumpster.
Information from Riley’s cellphone and Garmin watch helped prosecutors set up a timeline of the occasions main as much as her loss of life. In addition they shared her remaining textual content message to her mom, despatched on the morning of Feb. 22: “Good morning. About to go for a run when you’re free to speak.” Her mom despatched a follow-up message 20 minutes later, which went unanswered.
Particular Agent Lucas Beyer of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was known as as a rebuttal witness to deal with protection claims that the individual in surveillance footage may need been Ibarra’s brother, Diego. Beyer testified that there was no proof putting Diego anyplace aside from at dwelling on the morning of Riley’s homicide.
The protection rested its case with out calling Ibarra to testify, and shutting arguments wrapped up Wednesday morning.
The sentencing section is about to happen this afternoon. Ibarra is going through a minimal sentence of life with the potential for parole.Â
Closing arguments underway in Jose Ibarra trial
Closing arguments started on Wednesday morning within the Jose Ibarra trial. Ibarra is accused of killing nursing scholar Laken Riley whereas she was jogging on UGA’s campus.
The loss of life of Laken Riley grew to become a rallying cry for immigration reform throughout the 2024 election for former President Donald Trump and plenty of others. Ibarra and his brothers are undocumented migrants from Venezuela.Â
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The protection within the high-profile homicide trial of 26-year-old Jose Ibarra is about to proceed presenting witnesses at present. This follows the state’s conclusion of its case late Tuesday, after a number of days of emotional testimony.
The case facilities across the homicide of 22-year-old nursing scholar Laken Riley, whose physique was discovered on Feb. 22 on a wooded operating path close to the College of Georgia’s campus.Â
Jose Ibarra trial: Adidas hat proven throughout trial
Testimony continued on Tuesday within the trial for Jose Ibarra, accused of killing nursing scholar Laken Riley. One piece of proof that was proven was the adidas hat that was reportedly worn by the killer.
RELATED: Jose Ibarra Homicide Trial Day 3: Laken Riley’s household sees surveillance video
Prosecutors rested their case simply earlier than 4 p.m. on Tuesday after calling dozens of witnesses. Among the many proof offered was a surveillance video exhibiting Riley operating close to the college’s intramural fields on the morning of her loss of life. One other video allegedly confirmed Ibarra making an attempt to enter a graduate scholar’s condominium and later disposing of a jacket containing Riley’s DNA in a dumpster.
In courtroom, prosecutors learn the ultimate textual content message Riley despatched to her mom on the morning of her homicide: “Good morning. About to go for a run when you’re free to speak.” Her mom despatched a follow-up message about 20 minutes later, saying, “Please name me. I’m nervous sick about you.” Riley by no means responded.
Key proof included strands of Riley’s hair discovered on the crime scene.Â
A witness testified that two hairs have been found on one rock, whereas one other 27 have been recovered from a second rock, all decided to match Riley’s head hair. Moreover, an adidas hat prosecutors declare Ibarra was sporting within the surveillance footage was proven in courtroom for the primary time.
The protection offered three witnesses on Tuesday. Nevertheless, a major growth might impression their technique. Diego Ibarra, Jose Ibarra’s brother, was anticipated to testify, probably casting doubt on the state’s case. Nevertheless, Diego, who’s concerned in a separate immigration case, not too long ago retained a brand new legal professional and was suggested towards testifying. His absence might have an effect on the protection’s skill to problem the prosecution’s narrative.
The defendant, Jose Ibarra, has acknowledged he won’t testify in his personal protection. The trial continues at present.
