Trial begins for illegal immigrant charged with murdering student Laken Riley

Prosecutors said the suspect, Jose Ibarra, who is linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, was out “hunting for females” on Feb. 22 when he targeted Riley, 22, while she was jogging.

By Nicholas Ballasy

Published: November 15, 2024 10:32am

Updated: November 15, 2024 12:02pm

The trial involving the illegal Venezuelan immigrant charged in the murder of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley got underway on Friday.

Prosecutors said at the first hearing that the defendant, Jose Ibarra, is linked to the Tren de Aragua gang and was out “hunting for females” on Feb. 22 when he targeted Riley, 22, while she was jogging.

Prosecutors said in court that Riley “fought for her life” as Ibarra stuck her and choked her until she died.

“He went hunting for females on the University of Georgia campus and on his hunt he encountered 22-year-old Laken Riley on her morning jog,” said prosecutor Sheila Ross. “When Laken Riley refused to be his rape victim, he bashed her skull in with a rock repeatedly."

The 911 call made from Riley's phone was heard in court.

Riley's death caught the attention of the nation. The GOP-led U.S. House of Representatives passed the Laken Riley Act but it did not get a vote in the Democratic-led Senate.