The man accused of killing Georgia nursing student Laken Riley has waived his right to a jury, paving the way for his bench trial, which is expected to begin Friday morning.
Clark described Riley’s killing as a "crime of opportunity, where he saw an individual and bad things happened," and said the killing appeared to be a solo act.
The University of Georgia said Riley had been a student through the 2023 spring semester before she transferred to Augusta University.
At the time of Riley’s killing, Ibarra was living in an apartment complex less than a mile from the University of Georgia campus.
Riley’s killing and Ibarra’s arrest set off a political firestorm, with Republicans, including Donald Trump, pointing to Riley’s death in calls for tougher border policies as part of a broader crackdown on immigration.
Persons:
Laken Riley, Jose Antonio Ibarra, Tom, Prosecutors, Riley, Lake Herrick, Jeff Clark, Clark, Ibarra, Donald Trump, Riley's, Jason Riley
Organizations:
University of Georgia, NBC News Police, University Police, Augusta University College of Nursing's, Augusta University, U.S, NBC News
Locations:
Athens , Georgia, Lake, Athens, Augusta University College of Nursing's Athens, Venezuelan, El Paso , Texas