The trial of Jose Ibarra, the man accused of murdering 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley, began Friday with prosecutors presenting a chilling 911 call allegedly linked to the attack.
Riley was found dead on the University of Georgia campus in February. Ibarra, an illegal immigrant, was arrested in connection to the murder just a day later.
During the trial’s opening statements, prosecutor Sheila Ross played the 911 call made from Riley’s phone. The call captured muffled sounds and a dispatcher repeatedly asking if anyone could hear her. Ross argued that Ibarra, 26, “went hunting for females” on campus, ultimately attacking Riley and brutally killing her when she resisted his attempt to rape her.
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“When Laken Riley refused to be his rape victim, he bashed her skull in with a rock repeatedly,” Ross told the court. “She fought for her life. She fought for her dignity, and, in that fight, she caused this defendant to leave forensic evidence behind.”
Ross also presented security camera footage allegedly showing Ibarra disposing of items in a recycling bin and bushes near his apartment complex shortly after the estimated time of Riley’s death.
Data from Riley’s smartwatch indicated that her attack lasted approximately 17 minutes, with her heart continuing to beat until 9:28 a.m. She had left for her usual morning jog around 9:03 a.m., and her watch data showed her running at a fast pace before suddenly stopping at 9:10 a.m., followed by the 911 call at 9:11 a.m.
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Despite the disturbing evidence, defense attorney Dustin Kirby maintained that it does not definitively prove Ibarra’s guilt.
Ibarra is facing a slew of charges, including malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, hindering an emergency telephone call, tampering with evidence, and being a peeping Tom.
The trial is expected to continue with further evidence and witness testimony.
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