ATHENS, Ga. — The man accused of killing nursing student Laken Riley on the University of Georgia's campus has filed a motion to suppress some of the evidence in the case, according to court documents.
Jose Ibarra, 26, is accused of killing Riley, 22, on UGA's campus on the morning of Feb. 22. Riley had gone for a run and when she didn't return, a concerned friend called campus police.
UGA Police discovered her body with "visible injuries" in the forested area by Lake Herrick.
The precise circumstances of how Ibarra is alleged to have attacked Riley have not been fully detailed. However, previous arrest warrants said he caused harm to her skull and "did conceal the death of another person, and/or hinder discovery by dragging the victim to a secluded area."
Jose Ibarra full charges in Laken Riley killing
- Malice murder
- Felony murder
- Felony murder
- Felony murder
- Kidnapping with bodily injury
- Aggravated assault with intent to rape
- Aggravated battery
- Obstruction or hindering a person making emergency telephone call
- Tampering with evidence
- Peeping Tom
11Alive obtained court documents from the Athens-Clarke County Superior Court on Friday. The documents claim that two cell phones, social media accounts, which include Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram, genetic and physical information, and location data-- were "aggrieved by an unlawful search and seizure"-- without probable cause.
According to the court documents, officers entered Ibarra's apartment without a warrant-- the day after Riley was found dead.
Ibarra's trial is set to start on Monday, Nov. 18.