Laken Riley’s killer, a gang member who is in the United States illegally, was flown to Georgia on your tax dollars before brutally murdering an innocent young girl.
Our current government is focused on protecting criminals, not victims. Jose Ibarra deserves to die for…
— Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) November 18, 2024
Jose Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan migrant, is on trial for the murder of Laken Riley, a nursing student at the University of Georgia. The trial is taking place in Athens, Georgia, and has drawn significant attention due to its connection to immigration issues and campus safety concerns. On Monday, the second day of the trial, prosecutors presented evidence and testimony linking Ibarra to the crime scene.
The death of Laken Riley is tragic and could have been avoided if the Biden-Harris administration had done its job and deported criminals like Jose Ibarra.@HouseGOP passed HR 7511, the Laken Riley Act, to ensure this never happens again.https://t.co/Zurdcux6R7
— Rep. Claudia Tenney (@RepTenney) November 18, 2024
A former roommate, Rosbeli Flores-Bello, testified that she met Ibarra in New York City last year and accompanied him to Athens in September 2023 after his brother informed them of job opportunities in the area. Law enforcement witnesses placed Ibarra at the scene of Riley’s killing using cellphone and GPS tracking data. Additionally, a recorded jailhouse phone call between Ibarra and his wife, Layling Franco, was played in court.
“Prosecutors say that on the day of Riley's killing, Ibarra peered into the window of an apartment in a university residential building, which is the basis for the peeping Tom charge.”
This man is sick.https://t.co/W0jEad9l8Q
— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) November 18, 2024
Linking Ibarra to crime scene
In the call, Franco expressed disbelief in Ibarra’s innocence, stating that she found it suspicious that only his DNA was found at the crime scene. Prosecutors argued that on the morning of February 22, Ibarra allegedly put on a black hat, a hoodie-style jacket, and black disposable gloves before going to the University of Georgia campus to hunt for females.
Riley, who was out for her usual morning jog, fought for her life, as evidenced by skin found under her fingernails. Investigators linked injuries on Ibarra to this struggle. The defense, led by attorney Dustin Kirby, maintained that the evidence against Ibarra is circumstantial and does not prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Ibarra has pleaded not guilty to all ten counts against him, which include malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault with intent to rape, aggravated battery, hindering a 911 call, tampering with evidence, and being a “peeping Tom.”
As the trial continues, the prosecution is expected to rest its case on Tuesday, bringing the proceedings closer to a verdict. The case has garnered national attention, highlighting concerns about campus security and immigration enforcement.
