AoSHQ The Morning Report
November 20, 2024
Yesterday was the third day of the Laken Riley murder trial in Athens, Georgia, and the day on which prosecutors rested their case after calling 25 witnesses to the stand.In Other News
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the case, Riley was a 22-year-old nursing student who was murdered while jogging on the University of Georgia campus earlier this year. Her alleged murderer, José Antonio Ibarra, is a 26-year-old Venezuelan man who is in the United States illegally. He's been charged with felony murder, malice murder, false imprisonment, hindering a 911 call, aggravated assault with intent to rape, and kidnapping, among other things. He faces life in jail if convicted. The case has garnered national attention at a time when illegal immigration and criminal migrants are big topics in the United States.
If you haven't been able to watch any of the trial, I must warn you: It has been, at times, equal parts heartbreaking and infuriating. Full disclosure: I attended the University of Georgia myself and have spent a lot of time on that campus. I've never once felt unsafe there, which makes this murder all the more disturbing and upsetting. That said, here are the highlights.