A judge in Georgia has rejected Jose Ibarra's request for a new trial after he was convicted of murdering nursing student Laken Riley, a case that sparked national debate on immigration. Ibarra, a Venezuelan immigrant, had argued his constitutional rights were violated when the court denied two pre-trial motions.
Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard ruled on Monday that the evidence against Ibarra was 'overwhelming and powerful.' Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial and was found guilty of murder and other charges in November 2024, receiving a life sentence.
Ibarra's lawyers had sought a delay to allow a DNA expert more time to review evidence analysed using TrueAllele Casework software, and also moved to exclude cellphone evidence. Judge Haggard noted that the defence 'effectively challenged' the DNA evidence at trial and that the expert's opinion was not persuasive. He also cited 'exigent circumstances' for the seizure of two cellphones, which were not searched until warrants were obtained.
Ibarra, 28, entered the US illegally in 2022 and was allowed to stay while pursuing his immigration case. He attacked Riley while she was running on the University of Georgia campus on 22 February 2024. Ibarra has 30 days to appeal the denial of a new trial.
