Illegal Immigrant Accused Of Murdering Laken Riley Pleads Not Guilty
JASON HOPKINS CONTRIBUTOR
May 31, 2024 11:25 AM ET
The man accused of killing Georgia nursing student Laken Riley pled not guilty during an arraignment hearing on Friday.
Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan national living unlawfully in the United States, pled not guilty to charges that he killed Riley during his arraignment hearing in a Clarke County courtroom, according to local reporters on the scene. The not guilty plea now means the case will head to trial.
The news is the latest development in a murder case that has sparked a national debate over illegal immigration in the country. Ibarra is charged with malice murder, three counts of felony murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, tampering with evidence and interfering with a 911 call for help, Superior Court of Clarke County records confirmed. The 26-year-old illegal immigrant was also handed down a “peeping Tom” charge related to his activities around the UGA campus on the day of the murder.
Riley, a nursing student at the time, was abducted and murdered on February 22 while jogging around the UGA campus. The coroner confirmed that the 22-year-old died from blunt force trauma to the skull.
https://dailycaller.com/2024/05/31/i...ds-not-guilty/