ATHENS, Ga. — Body camera footage and phone call recordings highlighted the second day of Jose Ibarra’s trial, where he stands accused of murdering 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley. Riley, a student at Augusta University, was found brutally killed on February 22 in a wooded area of the University of Georgia campus after failing to return from a run.
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Police questioned Ibarra at his Athens apartment the day after Riley’s death, observing scratches on his arms, bruising on his palm, and a suspicious jacket later linked to the crime.
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Prosecution Details Brutal Killing
Special prosecutor Sheila Ross alleged Ibarra, 26, was “hunting” women on the UGA campus when he encountered Riley during her run. She stated that evidence points to a prolonged struggle in which Riley “fought for her life” before succumbing to blunt force trauma and asphyxiation.
Ibarra’s DNA was discovered under Riley’s fingernails, according to Ross. Surveillance footage captured a man, identified by witnesses as Ibarra, discarding a jacket containing Riley’s hair into a dumpster near his apartment shortly after her death.
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Scratches Raise Questions
University of Georgia Police Sgt. Joshua Epps testified that during their initial questioning of Ibarra, officers noticed scratches on both arms, which appeared consistent with fingernail marks.
“On his right bicep, there was a visible scratch. On his left arm, there was a forearm scratch that looked similar,” Epps said.
Epps also observed a fresh puncture wound on Ibarra’s left wrist. When questioned about the marks, Ibarra offered inconsistent explanations, according to Officer Rafael Sayan, who translated during the interview.
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Damning Evidence Presented
Prosecutors entered photographs of Ibarra’s scratches and bruising as evidence. Cellphone and smartwatch data further tied Ibarra to the crime scene. FBI analyst James Berni testified that Riley’s Garmin watch and Ibarra’s Samsung phone were in close proximity between 9:10 a.m. and 9:32 a.m. on February 22.
The data revealed that Riley’s SOS app activated at 9:10 a.m., and her heart rate stopped at 9:28 a.m., indicating the time of death.
Additional Charges and Incidents
Ibarra faces multiple charges, including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault with intent to rape, and tampering with evidence. Prosecutors allege that the discarded jacket, found to contain Riley’s DNA, was part of an effort to conceal his involvement.
On the day of Riley’s murder, Ibarra is also accused of being involved in a separate peeping tom incident. UGA graduate student Tejaswi Saraswathi testified that she saw a man in black clothing and a cap trying to open her ground-floor apartment door and later peering through her window. Surveillance footage and clothing matched Ibarra’s description.
Phone Call Sparks Suspicion
The court also heard a recorded jail call between Ibarra and his wife. During the conversation, his wife repeatedly questioned his involvement in Riley’s death.
“You’re not gonna come here and lie to me. I know you; you know something,” she said, according to FBI analyst Abeisis Ramirez.
Ibarra responded only with vague statements such as “Enough,” and “OK.”
Prosecution Nears Conclusion
Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial, leaving Judge H. Patrick Haggard to decide the verdict. Prosecutors anticipate resting their case on Tuesday.
Riley’s death has fueled debates about campus safety and immigration policy. Ibarra, originally from Venezuela, entered the U.S. illegally in 2022, a fact that has amplified calls for stricter immigration reform.
The trial continues in Athens-Clarke County, with a verdict expected later this week.
