Jose Ibarra Seeks New Trial in Murder Case of Nursing Student Laken Riley Amid Mental Competency Evaluation and DNA Review Requests

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ATHENS — Lawyers for Jose Ibarra, convicted of murdering college nursing student Laken Riley, announced plans to file motions for a mental competency evaluation and funding for a DNA expert during a status conference on his motion for a new trial on Friday. Ibarra, sentenced to life without parole in November, did not attend the hearing, and his defense team argues that he may not have fully understood his legal situation due to language barriers. A tentative hearing on the motion for a new trial is set for September, as Ibarra's case continues to influence immigration policy in Georgia.