ATHENS, Ga. — A plea hearing date has been set for the suspect accused in the murder of Augusta University nursing student Laken Riley.
On Thursday, 11Alive obtained documents from the Clarke County Superior Court showing that Jose Ibarra has an arraignment scheduled for Friday, May 31 at 11 a.m.
During Ibarra's arraignment, he can either plead guilty or not guilty, and if he pleads not guilty, the case could head to trial.
Ibarra, 26, is accused of killing Riley, 22, on UGA's campus on the morning of Feb. 22. She 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."
Earlier in May, Ibarra was indicted on the following charges:
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
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