The defense rested its case on Wednesday in the trial of a man accused of killing Georgia nursing student Laken Riley. The accused, Jose Ibarra, 26, is facing charges of murder and other crimes in connection with Riley's death in February. Ibarra opted for a trial by judge, waiving his right to a jury trial, leaving the decision in the hands of Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard.
Following the defense's conclusion, prosecutors began calling rebuttal witnesses to present their case. The incident, which occurred on February 22 on the University of Georgia campus, sparked national attention due to the revelation that Ibarra had entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and was allowed to remain in the country while his immigration case was pending. Riley, a 22-year-old student at Augusta University College of Nursing, tragically lost her life in the incident.
The trial commenced last Friday, with the prosecution resting its case on Tuesday after calling over a dozen witnesses, including law enforcement officers, Riley's roommates, and a neighbor of Ibarra. The defense team, on the other hand, presented a police officer, a jogger, and one of Ibarra's neighbors as witnesses before resting their case on Wednesday morning.
The courtroom was filled with Riley's parents, roommates, and other loved ones throughout the trial, many of whom were visibly emotional as they listened to the testimonies. Ibarra, who appeared in court each day dressed in a collared shirt and dark slacks with his feet chained, remained attentive during the proceedings.
