In the bench trial of Jose Antonio Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant accused of murdering Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, prosecutors continued to present their case. Ibarra, a Venezuelan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally, is facing charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and aggravated battery, among others. He opted for a bench trial, where the judge will determine the verdict.
During the trial, an audio recording of a Spanish-language phone conversation from jail between Ibarra and his wife was translated. In the call, his wife accuses him of knowing about the killing, prompting questions about his involvement in Riley’s death.
Prosecutors allege that Ibarra had been “hunting for females” on the University of Georgia campus when he spotted Riley and intended to rape her, resulting in a violent attack. Surveillance footage showed Ibarra throwing a blue jacket into a dumpster, which was later found to contain DNA evidence linking him to the crime.
The defense argued that the evidence connecting Ibarra to Riley’s murder was circumstantial, casting doubt on his intent or involvement in a sexual assault. The district attorney’s office has indicated that they will seek life imprisonment without parole if Ibarra is convicted.
The case drew national attention and became part of the immigration debate, with politicians like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene using it to highlight the dangers of undocumented immigrants. Former President Donald Trump also referenced Riley’s killing in his speeches, emphasizing the need for stricter immigration policies. Despite the rhetoric, studies have shown that undocumented immigrants are less likely to commit crimes compared to native-born Americans.
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