Jose Ibarra is indicted on nine felony counts and one misdemeanor.
The misdemeanor charge is for interfering with a call for emergency help. The felony charges include malice murder, three counts of felony murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault with intent to rape, aggravated battery, tampering with evidence, and peeping tom. Unlike many states, Georgia does not have degrees of murder. Malice murder requires intent, while felony murder carries a lower burden of proof and does not require intent to kill. Ibarra has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The defense for Jose Ibarra aims to challenge the evidence prosecutors plan to use at trial and has filed motions to suppress evidence seized through a search warrant at Ibarra’s home. The defense is also contesting DNA and fingerprint evidence that the prosecution claims will prove Ibarra murdered Laken Riley.
Judge Patrick Haggard, who is hearing the motions in the Clarke County Courthouse, must make rulings before the case goes to trial in mid-November. The judge has scheduled another hearing for November first, where the defense is challenging key fingerprint identification, DNA, and social media evidence. Defense Attorney Dustin Kirby informed the judge he needs more time to review the DNA data he recently received.
Joining Nancy Grace today:
Additional Guests
- Andrew Stoltmann – Chicago Attorney and adjunct law professor for Northwestern University, co-author, “Waging War on Wall Street: My Battles Suing Banks and Brokerage Firms;’ X: @Stoltmann1971
- Dr. Chloe Carmichael – Clinical Psychologist, Women’s Health Magazine Advisory Board;’ Author: ‘Nervous Energy: Harness The Power of Your Anxiety;’ X: @DrChloe
- Jason Dennis – Anchor: WTVM News leader 9 and WXTX; Facebook: Jason Dennis WTVM/Instagram: @jdennistv/X: @JasonDennisWTVM
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[Feature Photo:Jose Antonio Ibarra/Clarke County Sheriff’s Office]
