ATHENS, GA. – Jury selection begins Wednesday in the murder trial of Jose Ibarra, who is accused of killing Augusta University nursing student Laken Riley.

Riley was killed Feb. 22 in the woods behind Lake Herrick on the University of Georgia campus.

Ibarra is charged with one count of premeditated murder, three counts of felony murder and one count each of kidnapping, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, interfering with an emergency telephone call, tampering with evidence and spying on Tom.

Jury selection begins Wednesday with opening statements for his trial, which begins shortly.

Last week, a judge in Athens rejected Ibarra’s request to suppress some evidence in the case.

Ibarra’s motion alleged that two cell phones, social media information, location data and “genetic and physical information” were seized without cause.

MORE: Previous news on the Laken Riley murder case

1. UGA students see improvements in security after Laken Riley’s killing
2. Details emerge about Laken Riley murder
3. Laken Riley murder suspect had prior criminal history
4. Murder of AU student sends shockwaves from Athens to Augusta

The case quickly became a major point of contention in the debate over immigration after investigators determined that Ibarra entered the country illegally in 2022. Republicans went after the killing, leading to a tense exchange during President Biden’s State of the Union address.

Criminal defense and civil rights attorney Joshua Schiffer said: “This case became very political during the last election cycle. “We’ve all heard the major candidates talk about the issue of illegal immigration.”

Schiffer expects the trial to proceed quickly.

“The Jose Ibarra case proceeded very efficiently, especially compared to other cases around the country,” Schiffer said. “(Special Prosecutor) Sheila Ross seems very prepared for this case, she prepared it in a relatively short period of time, but it’s also not the most complex murder case.”

“In a situation where life without parole is on the table, you want to make sure you do all your due diligence,” Schiffer said. “I don’t expect a particularly long trial. This is a very serious situation. “They won’t rush it, but I don’t think this hearing will last more than a few weeks at most.”

Ibarra’s attorney filed a request to suppress evidence in the case, but that request was denied Friday.

The prosecution is seeking life without parole for Ibarra. His brother, Diego, pleaded guilty to charges of possessing a false immigration document and was scheduled to be sentenced in October, but that sentence was postponed.

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