Trial set for Jose Ibarra, suspect in Laken Riley killing

( NewsNation ) — The man accused of killing Georgia nursing student Laken Riley appeared in court Friday for a status conference hearing in the case, where tentative dates for jury selection and the trial dates were scheduled.

Jose Ibarra , 26, faces charges of malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape, aggravated battery, obstruction, tampering with evidence and being a “Peeping Tom,” court records show.

The voyeurism charges accuse Ibarra of peering through another person’s window on the day of Riley’s death.

Judge H. Patrick Haggard put Ibarra’s case on the Nov. 18 trial calendar, with jury selection starting on Nov. 13.

He added that he’s considering a separate jury questionnaire and invited both the prosecution and defense to submit appropriate questions.

Prosecutors requested the trial ends before Thanksgiving if it begins on Nov. 18, and agreed to collaborate with the defense on a joint questionnaire, seeking the judge’s help if needed.

Haggard stated he’d like to receive the questionnaire by mid-September, noting it could be discussed further before the motion hearing.

Who is Jose Ibarra?

NewsNation confirmed Ibarra entered the United States illegally in September 2022 in El Paso, Texas. He came from Venezuela and lived in New York before moving to Georgia.

Ibarra had previously been arrested in connection with other minor crimes, including shoplifting.

In May, Ibarra pleaded not guilty to charges in Riley’s death.

Judge H. Patrick Haggard said he’s hoping for a trial in the fall.

What happened to Laken Riley?

The investigation into Riley’s death began when a friend reported her missing Feb. 22 after she didn’t return home from a run.

Investigators soon after discovered a body on the University of Georgia campus in a forested area. Emergency responders tried to revive Riley, a 22-year-old who had studied at Augusta University’s nursing college, but determined she died before officers discovered her body.

The University of Georgia Police Department arrested Ibarra in connection to Riley’s death the following day.

Prosecutors allege Ibarra beat Riley with an object and dragged her body to a secluded area off the jogging path in an attempt to conceal her body.

NewsNation Jorge Ventura, Katie Smith and Steph Whiteside and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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