During the trial of defendant Jose Ibarra, new evidence emerged regarding the whereabouts of his brother, Diego Ibarra, on the day of Laken Riley's killing. Surveillance video presented in court showed that Diego went to work at a University of Georgia dining hall wearing distinct clothing that differed from that of the suspect.
On February 21, the day before the tragic event, Diego was recorded clocking into work just after 4 p.m. He was seen wearing a gray shirt, red-and-white hat, a gray double-strapped backpack, and a blue North Face jacket. The following day, February 22, Diego clocked in at 3:57 p.m., hours after Riley's killing, wearing a gray shirt, red-and-black hat, and a small gray double-strapped backpack. He then clocked out around 11 p.m.
The clothing worn by Diego Ibarra was notably different from that of the suspect captured on separate surveillance footage. The suspect was observed wearing a white-and-black shirt, a black hat, and discarding a navy blue jacket into a dumpster. This jacket, recovered by investigators, contained DNA from both Jose Ibarra and Laken Riley, as per prosecutors.
The defense has raised concerns about the DNA evidence quality in the case and has suggested the possibility of one of Jose Ibarra's brothers being involved in the crime. Diego Ibarra, in a separate legal matter, pleaded guilty in July to two counts of possession of a fraudulent document, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Georgia.
As this case unfolds, the University of Georgia has been contacted for further insights and comments on the matter.
