Venezuelan Man Faces Hearing in Georgia Nursing Student's Murder Case

Jose Ibarra, accused of killing Laken Riley, attends court as defense motions are debated ahead of his November trial.

Jose Ibarra is charged with multiple offenses, including murder and kidnapping, in the February death of 22-year-old Laken Riley.
The case has intensified the national debate on immigration, as Ibarra entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and was allowed to stay to pursue his immigration case.
Defense attorneys have filed motions to move the trial due to pretrial publicity and to separate the peeping Tom charge involving a different victim.
Prosecutors allege Ibarra attacked Riley during her morning run, intending to sexually assault her before asphyxiating her.
The court is also examining the legality of evidence collected by police, including whether search warrants were properly executed.