Laken Riley spent four years running cross-country track for her high school, River Ridge, in Woodstock, Georgia. Her passion for running continued during her studies at the University of Georgia. After earning her undergraduate degree, Riley began studying to become a nurse.

One morning, Riley set out on a run. She grabbed her phone and told her roommate she would return after a short run at the UGA campus intramural fields. When Riley did not return for hours, her roommate called campus police at 12:07 p.m. Less than 45 minutes later, officers found Riley's body behind Lake Herrick. She was unconscious, not breathing, and showed visible injuries.

Police arrested 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra and charged him with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call, and concealing the death of another. Ibarra was convicted on all counts and sentenced to life in prison.

Now, his attorneys have filed a motion for a new trial, questioning the evidence presented during the case

Joining Nancy Grace Today:

Phil Vetrano - Father of Murdered Jogger, Karina Vetrano
Dale Carson – Criminal Defense Attorney (Jacksonville), Former FBI Agent, Former Police Officer, Author: “Arrest-Proof Yourself;” X: @DaleCarsonLaw
Joe Scott Morgan – Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, “Blood Beneath My Feet,” and Host: “Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan;” Twitter/X: @JoScottForensic
Sheryl McCollum – Forensics Expert & Cold Case Investigative Research Institute Founder; Host of Podcast: “Zone 7;” X: @149Zone7
Jason Dennis - Anchor: WTVM News leader 9 and WXTX; Facebook: Jason Dennis WTVM, Instagram: @jdennistv X: @JasonDennisWTVM

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LAKEN RILEY MURDER SUSPECT GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS: NEW TRIAL BID