Laken Riley’s sister sobs as testimony confirms asphyxia and blunt-force head trauma were cause of death: Trial updates
Jose Ibarra could face life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted in the February killing of 22-year-old Laken Riley
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Laken Riley’s sister broke down in tears as a medical examiner confirmed in court on Tuesday that the Georgia nursing student died from a combination of blunt-force head trauma and asphyxia when she was killed while out on a run on campus in February.
Dr. Michelle DiMarco, an associate medical examiner with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, testified on day three of the trial that the injuries Riley had to her face “could be consistent with a rock.”
Jose Ibarra, the man accused of killing Riley, is on trial for her murder. If convicted, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
An FBI agent testified that Ibarra’s cellphone location data places him “very close” to Riley at the time of her murder on February 22, with the victim’s smartwatch revealing the moment her heart stopped beating.
Prosecutors are expected to rest the case against Ibarra – a Venezuelan native who entered the US illegally – today, with the defense then presenting around half a day of testimony.
The murder case became a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration during this year’s presidential campaign.
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Laken Riley ‘fought for her life’ against killer who was ‘hunting for females’ on day of murder, trial hears
Jose Ibarra will not testify
Jose Antonio Ibarra said through an interpreter that he will not testify in his defense at his murder trial.
He confirmed his decision after being asked by Judge H. Patrick Haggard if he understands his right not to testify, to which Ibarra answered “Si.”
When asked by the judge if he wants to testify, Ibarra said no and shook his head.
Laken Riley's fingernail clippings sample matched Jose Ibarra’s DNA
GBI crime lab scientist Ashley Hinkle testified that the DNA from Riley’s fingernail clippings was linked to the genetic profile of Jose Ibarra.
Hinkle also testified that Riley and Ibarra were the only two people who contributed to the DNA profile on a cutting of the blue jacket found in a dumpster near Ibarra’s apartment.
Samples from the rocks and tree at the crime scene, along with samples from the black gloves found in the bush outside Ibarra’s apartment were only conclusive for Riley’s DNA, she said.
State rests case against Jose Ibarra
The state has rested its case against Jose Ibarra after three days of testimony.
Ibarra will not testify in his defense.
The defense will now present their case.
Gloves, hat, discarded jacket tested positive for blood: crime lab tech
Katrina Ostapovicz, a forensic serologist with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab, testified that back disposable gloves, a navy blue jacket, a cutting from a tree, two rocks and a black Adidas hat all tested presumptively positive for the presence of blood.
A red-brown stain that appeared to be the color of blood was found on the jacket. She described the gloves found near the crime scene as having holes in them.
The items were sent for further DNA testing.
An emotional day in court
Lauren Phillips, the younger sister of Laken Riley, and Riley’s roommate, Connolly Huth, become emotional during the trial for Jose Ibarra at the Athens-Clarke County Superior Court on Tuesday.
Medical examiner says Laken Riley died from blunt-force head trauma and asphyxia
Dr. Michelle DiMarco, an associate medical examiner with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, took the stand on Tuesday and testified about Laken Riley’s cause of death.
She said it was the combined effects of blunt-force head trauma and asphyxia. The manner of death was homicide.
DiMarco also testified about the injuries Riley had to her face that “could be consistent with a rock.”
There were no signs of sexual assault, she testified.
Gloves found in a bush near Jose Ibarra’s home match gloves in his room, GBI analyst says
Alexander Covin, a microanalyst with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, testified on Tuesday that gloves found discarded in a bush near Jose Ibarra’s apartment after Laken Riley’s murder match the ones found inside a drawer in his home.
“My conclusions were that the black disposable gloves that were recovered from the bush, are like the disposable gloves that were recovered from the apartment, and could have originated from the same source,” Covin said.
Covin added that the gloves were “not plasticized, so not latex or rubber,” and that if the gloves “were to be strained, or pulled, or stretched in any way, they may tear more easily.”
Bodycam footage shows moment Jose Ibarra was confronted by police
Video captures Laken Riley on campus moments before she was killed
Video footage from the University of Georgia campus safety camera system that was played in court on Tuesday shows Laken Riley moments before she was killed on February 22.
A man wearing dark clothing and wearing a hood is first seen around 6:50 a.m. walking and standing outside an apartment complex near the trail where Riley was killed.
He does this for a little over an hour and then Riley is seen running by on the trail. Another video shows her running on the trail just after 9 a.m.
Then around 11:36 a.m., two of Riley’s roommates and their dog are seen walking the same trail as they search for Riley.
Video shown in court of man lurking around peeping tom victim’s home
On the morning of Laken Riley’s murder, security video footage from the University of Georgia campus safety camera system shows a man wearing dark clothing and a hood lurking around a building where a doctoral student claimed someone was peeking into her apartment.
Tejaswi Stamilmnai Saraswathi, 24, testified Monday about someone trying to get into her apartment while she was in the shower. An hour later, Laken Riley was killed nearby.
The video was shown to the court on Tuesday during testimony by Sgt. Sophie Raboud with the University of Georgia police department.
She noted that there was also a street camera video showing Laken Riley, and later her friends, looking for her.