Laken Riley murder trial judge rejects motions from migrant suspect’s lawyers to delay, oust evidence

The illegal migrant accused of killing Georgia nursing student Laken Riley will be tried later this month — after his attorneys attempted to delay proceedings and expel crucial evidence seized in the investigation. 

Judge Patrick Haggard rejected motions to exclude evidence related to DNA, fingerprints and cellphone data during a preliminary hearing in Athens-Clark Superior Court Friday, after defense attorneys for Jose Ibarra argued the items were collected unlawfully by law enforcement, local outlets reported.

Defense attorney Dustin Kirby also attempted to delay the trial — slated to begin Nov. 13 — challenging the reliability of the DNA evidence and pressing the data was so “voluminous and technical” that it could take as long as six weeks for an expert to review.

“I’ve tried to understand the data and I am unable to do so,” Kirby told the trial judge, citing the DNA evidence produced by genetics company, TruAllele Casework Software, according to the Athens Banner-Herald.

Haggard advised he would not delay the trial, but would instead allow the accused murderer’s defense to put a system expert on the stand during the trial, the outlet reported.

Ibarra, a Venezuelan migrant whose family has ties to the dangerous Tren de Aragua gang, is charged with murdering the 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student while she was on a morning run on the nearby University of Georgia campus in Athens in February.

Ibarra, 26, allegedly pulled up her clothes to sexually assault her — then hit her on the head and asphyxiated her, prosecutors say.

Riley was found close to her apartment after a friend called the police when she didn’t return home from jogging.

Police arrested the suspect the next day at his apartment on South Milledge Avenue, who has since pleaded not guilty to the 10 counts of malice murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault and related crimes.

The case sparked national debate since Ibarra entered the country illegally through El Paso, Texas, and was released by immigration authorities due to a lack of space.

He was then arrested in New York City in August 2023 for riding a gas-powered moped with a 5-year-old on the back without a helmet or belt.

He was released in that case before fleeing to Georgia to be with his brother Diego, one of the family members linked with the now-notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, officials have said.

The alleged killer’s defense previously requested a change of venue due to the widespread media coverage surrounding the case — a motion the judge denied last month.

Ibarra is being held at Athens-Clarke County Jail without bail pending his trial.