Opening statements began Friday in the trial of Jose Ibarra, a 26-year-old illegal immigrant from Venezuela accused of murdering Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, in February.
The case, being tried without a jury at Ibarra’s request, has drawn significant attention due to the severity of the charges and the circumstances surrounding Riley’s death.
“On Feb. 22, Jose Ibarra put on a black hat, a hoodie-style jacket, and some black kitchen-style disposable gloves, and he went hunting for females on the University of Georgia campus,” prosecutor Sheila Ross said in her opening statements on Friday.
“When Laken Riley refused to be his rape victim, he bashed her head in with a rock repeatedly,” Ross continued.
Ibarra faces 10 charges, including murder, kidnapping, and aggravated assault with intent to rape. Riley was found dead near a park at the University of Georgia in Athens after going for a jog. Prosecutors allege that Ibarra, who lived nearby with his brothers, committed the crime.
Defense attorney Dustin Kirby argued in his opening statement that the evidence against Ibarra is insufficient to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The trial is expected to focus heavily on forensic evidence and the timeline of events leading up to Riley’s death.
“We waived a jury trial in this case, with the hope and trust that despite the nature of this evidence that you could come to a verdict that was not just a way of of easing this family’s suffering, but it was based on an impartial and honest assessment of the evidence in this case,” Kirby said.
“If that happens and the presumption of innocence is respected, there should not be enough evidence to convince you beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Ibarra is guilty of the crimes charged.”
The case has also reignited discussions on illegal immigration policies, given Ibarra’s status and background.
