Attorneys for man charged with killing Georgia nursing student ask judge to move trial

Defense attorneys Kaitlyn Beck and John Donnelly present the not guilty plea for Jose Ibarra to sign during Ibarra's court appearance on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (Nell Carroll/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, File, Pool)

Attorneys for a man accused of killing a nursing student whose body was found on the University of Georgia campus have asked a judge to move the case to another county.

Finding an impartial jury in Athens-Clarke County to consider the murder and other charges against Jose Ibarra for the killing of Laken Hope Riley is impossible, attorneys John Donnelly and Kaitlyn Beck said in a court filing. A shackled Ibarra appeared in court on Friday dressed in a button-front shirt and slacks.

Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard said during the brief hearing that he was planning to start jury selection on Nov. 13 and then proceed with the trial the following week.