Laken Riley murder trial updates: Court ends for the day; Suspect Jose Ibarra’s brother expected to testify Wednesday
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 accused killerJose Ibarra will not testify in his own defense as his murder trial begans to wind down after just three days of testimony.
Ibarra, 26, a Venezuelan native who entered the US illegally, is charged with murder in the death of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Georgia nursing student who was found dead on the Athens campus running trails in February.
The state rested its case on Tuesday afternoon after presenting 29 witnesses. Two witnesses for the defense took the stand and two more are expected tomorrow, including Ibarra’s brother, Diego.
Prosecutors say that on February 22, Ibarra hit Riley in the head with a rock while he was out “hunting for females” on campus. Dr. Michelle DiMarco, a GBI medical examiner who conducted the autopsy, testified that Riley’s injuries “could be consistent with a rock.”
A GBI specialist testified Riley’s DNA was found on two rocks at the scene. Riley’s DNA and Ibarra’s DNA were both found on a jacket that was retrieved from a dumster at Ibarra’s apartment comlex.
The murder case became a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration during this year’s presidential campaign.
What we know about Jose Antonio Ibarra, the man on trial for murdering a Georgia student Laken Riley
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
Laken Riley ‘fought for her life’ against killer who was ‘hunting for females’ on day of murder, trial hears
Jose Ibarra's brother Diego called to the stand
Jose Ibarra’s brother Diego Ibarra has been called to the stand as the defense’s third witness.
Diego Ibarra, who is awaiting sentencing on federal charges not related to this case, was ushered in wearing an orange jumpsuit and orange slides. His hands were shackled to his waist, according to reporters in the courtroom. He is not being shown on camera.
Moments after he was brought in, defense attorneys told the judge that they were just informed by Diego Ibarra’s lawyer that he is exercising his right not to testify. His lawyer is not present in the courtroom.
Court is on a brief recess.