INVADER NEWS: Emotional Family, Friends of Laken Riley Break Down During Marathon Court Hearing for Murder Suspect Jose Ibarra; Attorneys Say Ibarra Won’t Get a Fair Trial in Athens; Riley Murder Suspect Wants Some Evidence Suppressed

By admin On Oct 21, 2024

Emotional family, friends of Laken Riley break down during marathon court hearing for murder suspect Jose Ibarra:

The family of Laken Riley — the Georgia nursing student allegedly killed by an illegal immigrant earlier this year — teared up as crime scene details were revealed in court Friday, according to a report.

Riley’s emotional friends and family packed the court in Athens for Jose Ibarra’s marathon hearing ahead of his trial next month with one witness describing how the 22-year-old victim’s body was covered in dirt and mulch when it was found on Feb. 22, according to a report by WSB-TV.

Ibarra, the Venezuelan migrant whose family has ties to the dangerous Tren de Aragua gang, is charged with murdering the Augusta University College Nursing student while she was on a morning run on the Athens campus in February. The case has became a flashpoint on immigration when it emerged Ibarra had entered the US illegally but was still released.

Judge H. Patrick Haggard listened to testimony from several witnesses and short arguments Friday, including about whether to move Ibarra’s trial out of Athens on the grounds he wouldn’t be able to get a fair shake because of publicity and local anger over his case.

Haggard said he would decide during jury selection whether moving the trial would be necessary. But he seemed to tip his hand, indicating he didn’t plan to do so when he said: “I’m optimistic that we can get a jury picked … in a couple of days.”

A final hearing before trial is set for Nov. 1. —>READ MORE HERE

Laken Riley murder case: Attorneys say Jose Ibarra won’t get a fair trial in Athens:

Attorneys representing Jose Antonio Ibarra, the man accused of murdering Laken Riley while on campus at the University of Georgia in Athens in February, have filed to have evidence suppressed, witnesses barred from testifying and to have the trial moved to a new location.

Defense attorneys argue that Ibarra’s trial should be moved to a new location because the abundance of media coverage makes it difficult for him to get a fair trial.

Prosecutors spent Friday morning calling witnesses, including two police officers who were involved in Ibarra’s arrest.

During their testimony, prosecutors played body camera footage that showed his arrest. In the video, Ibarra can be seen shaking his head and appearing to crack a smile.

Channel 2′s Michael Seiden says friends and family of Riley’s in the courtroom were very emotional. He said her mother sobbed in court several times.

On the other hand, Ibarra, listening through a translator, showed no emotion throughout the entire hearing.

The judge did not make a ruling on whether or not to move the trial outside of Athens.

The judge also chose not to sever a peeping tom charge from the case. Defense attorneys argued it should be been because it involved a victim unrelated to this case.