Jose Ibarra Waives Jury Trial in Case of Laken Hope Riley's Killing

A Georgia man accused of murdering a nursing student at the University of Georgia waived his right to a jury trial on Tuesday, allowing his case to be heard only by a judge.

Jose Ibarra, 26, is charged with the February killing of 22-year-old Laken Hope Riley, a nursing student at Augusta University.

Riley's body was discovered on the University of Georgia campus after she failed to return from a morning run.

Ibarra faces a 10-count indictment, including charges of malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping, and aggravated assault. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Prosecutors say he struck Riley in the head, asphyxiated her, and intended to sexually assault her.

Defense attorneys Kaitlyn Beck shuffles papers in a folder as Jose Ibarra, center, accused of killing a nursing student, Laken Hope Riley, appears in court for a motion hearing on Oct. 11, 2024, in Athens,... Brynn Anderson/AP, Pool, File

Will Jose Ibarra Receive the Death Penalty?

Ibarra, a Venezuelan citizen, was arrested the day after Riley's body was discovered.

During a brief hearing, Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard confirmed that Ibarra had voluntarily chosen to waive his right to a jury trial.

His defense attorney, Kaitlyn Beck, presented a signed waiver, and after questioning Ibarra through a translator, the judge ruled that the decision was made willingly.

The prosecution, which had originally considered seeking the death penalty, is instead pursuing a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Jury selection had been scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed after discussions between the judge and legal teams.

The trial will now begin on Friday.

Classes were canceled on Feb. 23, 2024, at the Augusta University School of Nursing, Athens, Georgia, following the death of student Laken Hope Riley. Riley’s body was found on Feb. 22 near running trails after... Jeff Martin/AP

Why Did Jose Ibarra Cause an Immigration Row?

Federal immigration authorities revealed that Ibarra entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and was allowed to remain in the country while pursuing his immigration case.

His immigration status quickly became a focal point for political leaders, with Republicans linking Riley's death to President Joe Biden's border policies.

The issue of immigration also played a prominent role in the 2024 presidential election, with President-elect Donald Trump using the case to criticize the Biden administration.

In his State of the Union address following Riley's death, President Biden acknowledged the tragedy, mentioning Riley by name in his call for stronger border security.

Multiple Charges

Riley's death is believed to have been a random attack, though investigators have not yet provided further details on the motive.

Ibarra faces a range of charges related to Riley's death, including a "peeping Tom" charge based on accusations that he looked into the window of a university apartment on the day of the killing.

The defense team has attempted to have the trial moved out of Athens, as well as to separate the peeping Tom charge from the other accusations and exclude certain evidence.

The motions were denied by the court.

Ibarra remains in custody at the Athens-Clarke County Jail without bond.

This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press