this illegal immigration The man convicted of murdering nursing student Laken Riley is seeking a new trial, returning to court in a case that sparked a national immigration debate and led to federal legislation named after the victim.

Jose Ibarra, who is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole, is scheduled to appear in Clark County Superior Court in Athens, Georgia, on Friday, where a judge will hear arguments from his post-conviction attorneys seeking a new trial.

Judge Patrick Haggard, who presided over the original case and imposed the maximum sentence, will hear the motion.

Ibarra is Found guilty on all 10 counts In November 2024, 22-year-old Riley was attacked and killed on February 22, 2024, while running on the University of Georgia campus. Prosecutors said Riley died during a violent struggle with Ibarra.

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Laken Riley posted a photo on Facebook. On February 22, 2024, Riley, a nursing student at the University of Georgia, was found dead by a lake on campus. (Laken Riley/Facebook)

Riley is a student at Augusta University School of Nursing, which also Athens, about 70 miles East of Atlanta.

Ibarra’s legal team has Get a psychological evaluation As part of the appeals process, it was claimed he was incompetent to stand trial. Friday’s hearing focused on whether the alleged errors in the original proceedings were enough to justify a new trial.

Jose Ibarra, accused of killing a Georgia nursing student, listens through an interpreter during his trial in Athens-Clarke County Superior Court, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Athens, Georgia. (Hyosub Shin/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, AP, Pool)

The media was also instructed not to show Ibarra entering or leaving the courtroom or wearing shackles or handcuffs during Friday’s hearing.

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Alison Phillips, left, the mother of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, who was killed earlier this year, reacts while Laken Riley’s stepfather, John Phillips, comforts her during the Jose Ibarra trial in Athens-Clarke County Superior Court on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Athens, Georgia. (Hyosub Shin/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, AP, Pool)

Federal immigration authorities previously said Ibarra entered the United States illegally in 2022 and was allowed to remain in the United States while his immigration case was pending.

Riley’s murder has become a central issue during President Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, highlighting concerns about illegal immigration and violent crime. Last year, Trump signed Laken Riley Act Incorporate laws requiring the detention of unauthorized immigrants accused of violent crimes or theft.

Ibarra is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole in a Georgia prison.

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This is a development story.

Fox News’ Samanatha Daigle contributed to this report.

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicide and immigration crime. Send story tips to [email protected].