ATHENS, GA. (AP) — The defense rested its case Wednesday in the trial of the man who is accused of killing Laken Riley, a nursing student from Georgia. The case came to light during this year’s presidential discussion over immigration.
Jose Ibarra, 26, is accused of murder and other offenses in connection with Riley’s death in February. He gave up his right to a jury trial, therefore Judge H. Patrick Haggard of the Athens-Clarke County Superior Court will make the decision.
Prosecutors started calling rebuttal witnesses after the defense had had time to relax.
When federal authorities said that Ibarra had entered the country illegally in 2022 and had been permitted to remain while he worked on his immigration case, the February 22 killing on the University of Georgia campus fueled the national immigration debate. Riley, 22, attended Augusta University College of Nursing, which is located roughly 70 miles (115 kilometers) east of Atlanta and also has a campus in Athens.
The trial started last Friday, and after calling over a dozen law enforcement officials, Riley’s roommates, and a lady who shared an apartment with Ibarra, the prosecution rested its case on Tuesday. Defense lawyers rested their case Wednesday morning after calling a police officer, a jogger, and one of Ibarra’s neighbors on Tuesday.
Every day, Riley’s parents, housemates, and other loved ones crowded the courtroom, with many of them becoming emotional while hearing witness testimony. Ibarra, who wore dark pants and a collared shirt every day and had his feet chained, seemed focused during the trial.
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