Laken Riley’s sister sobs as testimony confirms asphyxia and blunt-force head trauma were cause of death: Trial updates
Jose Ibarra could face life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted in the February killing of 22-year-old Laken Riley
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Laken Riley’s sister broke down in tears as a medical examiner confirmed in court on Tuesday that the Georgia nursing student died from a combination of blunt-force head trauma and asphyxia when she was killed while out on a run on campus in February.
Dr. Michelle DiMarco, an associate medical examiner with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, testified on day three of the trial that the injuries Riley had to her face “could be consistent with a rock.”
Jose Ibarra, the man accused of killing Riley, is on trial for her murder. If convicted, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
An FBI agent testified that Ibarra’s cellphone location data places him “very close” to Riley at the time of her murder on February 22, with the victim’s smartwatch revealing the moment her heart stopped beating.
Prosecutors are expected to rest the case against Ibarra – a Venezuelan native who entered the US illegally – today, with the defense then presenting around half a day of testimony.
The murder case became a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration during this year’s presidential campaign.
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As her alleged killer goes on trial, how Laken Riley’s brutal murder became a bitterly divisive political issue- Everything we know about the Laken Riley case as murder trial under way
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An emotional day in court
Lauren Phillips, the younger sister of Laken Riley, and Riley’s roommate, Connolly Huth, become emotional during the trial for Jose Ibarra at the Athens-Clarke County Superior Court on Tuesday.
Medical examiner says Laken Riley died from blunt-force head trauma and asphyxia
Dr. Michelle DiMarco, an associate medical examiner with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, took the stand on Tuesday and testified about Laken Riley’s cause of death.
She said it was the combined effects of blunt-force head trauma and asphyxia. The manner of death was homicide.
DiMarco also testified about the injuries Riley had to her face that “could be consistent with a rock.”
There were no signs of sexual assault, she testified.
Gloves found in a bush near Jose Ibarra’s home match gloves in his room, GBI analyst says
Alexander Covin, a microanalyst with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, testified on Tuesday that gloves found discarded in a bush near Jose Ibarra’s apartment after Laken Riley’s murder match the ones found inside a drawer in his home.
“My conclusions were that the black disposable gloves that were recovered from the bush, are like the disposable gloves that were recovered from the apartment, and could have originated from the same source,” Covin said.
Covin added that the gloves were “not plasticized, so not latex or rubber,” and that if the gloves “were to be strained, or pulled, or stretched in any way, they may tear more easily.”
Bodycam footage shows moment Jose Ibarra was confronted by police
Video captures Laken Riley on campus moments before she was killed
Video footage from the University of Georgia campus safety camera system that was played in court on Tuesday shows Laken Riley moments before she was killed on February 22.
A man wearing dark clothing and wearing a hood is first seen around 6:50 a.m. walking and standing outside an apartment complex near the trail where Riley was killed.
He does this for a little over an hour and then Riley is seen running by on the trail. Another video shows her running on the trail just after 9 a.m.
Then around 11:36 a.m., two of Riley’s roommates and their dog are seen walking the same trail as they search for Riley.
Video shown in court of man lurking around peeping tom victim’s home
On the morning of Laken Riley’s murder, security video footage from the University of Georgia campus safety camera system shows a man wearing dark clothing and a hood lurking around a building where a doctoral student claimed someone was peeking into her apartment.
Tejaswi Stamilmnai Saraswathi, 24, testified Monday about someone trying to get into her apartment while she was in the shower. An hour later, Laken Riley was killed nearby.
The video was shown to the court on Tuesday during testimony by Sgt. Sophie Raboud with the University of Georgia police department.
She noted that there was also a street camera video showing Laken Riley, and later her friends, looking for her.
Judge rules Ibarra’s jail phone call with wife will not be admitted as evidence
As court began on Tuesday Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard ruled that the translations of a jail phone call between Jose Ibarra and his wife Layling Franco would not be admitted into evidence.
The call was played on Monday and translated from Spanish to English by FBI specialist Abeisis Ramirez.
The judge also ruled that several short videos Ibarra had posted of selfies along with Spanish song lyrics will not be admitted.
“After hearing the translations, I do find that it was more than contextual and therefore violates the confrontation clause in the 6th Amendment,” Judge Haggard said.
Laken Riley’s final text message was sent to her mother
On the morning of her murder, Laken Riley texted her mother hoping to talk to her while out for a run, the court heard on Tuesday.
“Good morning, about to go for a run if you’re free to talk,” Riley wrote.
Sophie Raboud of the UGA Police Department testified that Riley sent the message at 8:55 a.m. She then called her mother at 9:03 a.m. but there was no answer.
As the officer testified, Riley’s mother could be heard crying in court.
The next time Riley used her phone that morning, it was at 9:11 a.m. to call for help.
When Riley’s mother Allyson Phillips called her back at 9:24 a.m., there was no answer.
Phillips then texted at 9:37 a.m., “Call me when you can.”
After calling several times, her mother texted, “You’re making me nervous not answering while you’re out running. Are you OK?”
Again at 11:47 a.m., Riley’s mother texted, “Please call me, I’m worried sick about you.”
Jose Ibarra trial resumes – here’s what to expect
Court resumed this morning at 8:30 a.m.
The court is expected to hear from the state’s last few witnesses, including a medical examiner.
Ibarra’s brothers could also be called to the stand.
Prosecutors say they expect to rest their case today.
The defense will then begin to present their case and said they will need less than half a day for witness testimony.
Day 2 wraps up as state prepares to rest and defense has less than half a day of witnesses
Day two of Jose Ibarra’s murder trial wrapped up on Monday and will resume on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. ET.
Prosecutors told the court they will rest their case against Ibarra on Tuesday. The defense team was told to have their witnesses ready for the afternoon.
One of the defense attorneys told the judge they have less than half a day of testimony planned.