A Georgia judge has denied Laken Riley killer’s request for a new trial, citing “overwhelming and powerful”evidence in his initial trial.
According to CBS News, Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard rejected the request in an order Monday, noting the presented evidence during Jose Ibarra’s 2024 trial.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Haggard found Ibarra guilty on ten charges, including felony murder, malice murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape, and “peeping Tom.”
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Following the initial trial, Ibarra’s defense team filed the motion for a new trial, arguing that the court committed “errors of law that necessitate a new trial.”
Specifically, the defense claimed that Ibarra’s rights were violated when the court denied a request for a delay, so that experts could have additional time to review DNA evidence, FOX 5 Atlanta reports.
When denying the request, Haggard stated that the the defense lawyers “effectively challenged the TrueAllele DNA evidence at trial.”
They also challenged how two cellphones were seized, arguing that the phones were not included on the search warrant.
The judge denied the request, noting the “exigent circumstances authorizing the seizure of the cellphones.”
Ibarra, a Venezuelan who entered the U.S. illegally, attacked and killed 22-year-old Riley in February 2024, while she jogged in Athens.
“When Laken Riley refused to be his rape victim, he bashed her skull in with a rock repeatedly,” Prosecutor Sheila Ross said during the trial.
“She fought for her life, for her dignity.”
Ibarra’s defense team reportedly plan to appeal Haggard’s ruling.
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Laken Hope Riley/Facebook]