Jose Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant convicted of the brutal murder of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, is seeking a new trial. His attorneys allege that legal errors during his trial warrant a retrial, according to a motion filed Monday in Athens-Clarke County Superior Court.
The filing claims the verdict delivered by Judge H. Patrick Haggard was “contrary to law” and unsupported by evidence. Ibarra, who waived his right to a jury trial, was found guilty on November 20 of all 10 charges against him, including malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping, and aggravated assault.
The motion alleges unspecified “errors of law” that necessitate a retrial. While the defense did not provide further details, they indicated their intention to expand the motion following a comprehensive review of the trial’s facts and circumstances.
Under Georgia law, defendants have 30 days to appeal a conviction after sentencing or the denial of a motion for a new trial. Filing the motion effectively extends the window for appeal, potentially giving Ibarra’s legal team additional time to prepare their case.
Judge Haggard sentenced Ibarra to life in prison without parole following the guilty verdict. The charges stemmed from the gruesome murder of 22-year-old Laken Riley, who was found dead in a wooded area of the University of Georgia campus in Athens.
Riley had gone for a morning run when she was attacked. Prosecutors revealed during the trial that Ibarra’s DNA was found under her fingernails, evidence of a violent struggle.
Riley’s body showed severe head injuries, and prosecutors described her as having been “hunted” by Ibarra, who targeted women on the campus.
Athens District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez had previously decided not to seek the death penalty in Ibarra’s case, citing her office’s policy of considering “collateral consequences to undocumented defendants.” This decision drew criticism from some quarters, given the brutal nature of the crime.
Ibarra, originally from Venezuela, faced a litany of charges, including malice murder, three counts of felony murder, and additional charges related to the attack. Prosecutors argued that his actions were premeditated and deliberate, painting a harrowing picture of the events leading to Riley’s death.
Riley’s murder sent shockwaves through the University of Georgia and the Athens community. She was remembered as a promising nursing student with a bright future ahead. Her death sparked debates about campus safety and policies related to undocumented immigrants accused of violent crimes.
Prosecutors alleged that Ibarra had been stalking women on the university’s campus on the morning of the attack. Riley’s body was discovered with significant injuries and signs of a struggle, including evidence of sexual assault.
The motion for a new trial is expected to delay the final resolution of the case. If the motion is denied, Ibarra’s defense team could file an appeal, prolonging the legal process further.
The case continues to draw national attention, raising questions about justice, immigration, and victim protection in high-profile criminal cases.