Laken Riley murder trial updates: Mother in tears as daughter’s final texts are read aloud to the court
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 mother broke down in tears as her daughter’s final texts were read in court on Tuesday in the trial of Jose Ibarra, the man accused of killing her earlier this year.
The 22-year-old Georgia nursing student who was killed while out for a run in February texted her mom at 8:55 a.m., “Good morning, about to go for a run if you’re free to talk,” according to testimony from Sophie Raboud of the UGA Police Department.
When her mother called her back at 9:24 a.m., there was no answer.
An FBI agent testified previously that Ibarra’s cellphone location data places him “very close” to Riley at the time of her murder, 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.
If convicted, Ibarra could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The murder case became a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration during this year’s presidential campaign.
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As her alleged killer goes on trial, how Laken Riley’s brutal murder became a bitterly divisive political issue- Everything we know about the Laken Riley case as murder trial under way
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Testimony resumes today in Laken Riley suspect murder trial
Testimony has resumed in the trial of Jose Ibarra, who is accused of killing Georgia nursing student 22-year-old Laken Riley, in a case that became a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration during this year’s presidential campaign.
Follow along with The Independent for updates.