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I'm Nicole Parton, Jose Ibarra, the individual facing charges for the murder of Augusta University student.

Lake and Riley on the University of Georgia campus in February is reportedly opting for a bench trial by the judge instead of a jury trial.

Fox News was inside the courtroom when this announcement was made.

The state was contacted by the defense last week, and they let the state know that they wish

to waive the defendant's right to a trial by jury, and instead this defendant wishes to seek a trial by

judge-only offense trial. Ibarra 26 is accused of fatally attacking Riley, a 22-year-old nursing

student while she was jogging on one of UGA's popular pedestrian trails, this on an early

morning in February 22. Holloway expressed confusion over

Ibarra's decision to request a bench trial which was approved by state prosecutors and granted

by Judge Patrick Haggard. Ibar's trial is now set to commence tomorrow. A change from the previously scheduled jury trial happening on Monday.

Holloway remarked, quote, this decision seems to be a way for him to fast track himself to a life without parole.

It will certainly expedite the process. From a legal standpoint, I can't comprehend the defense's reasoning behind this.

He further explained that by selecting a bench trial, Ibarra, is forfeiting his last chance to sway a

jury into doubting his guilt. Rather than risking a potential mistrial due to a juror's skepticism,

Ibarra will now present his case directly to a judge who will determine his outcome.

Holloway noted that the evidentiary process in a bench trial is typically quicker and that both sides might skip opening and closing statements, which are standard in a jury trial, as they are not deemed

necessary in this setting. Ibarra and his brothers, who are also undocumented immigrants from

Venezuela, resided in an apartment near the park where Riley was running. The incident was

described by UGA police chief Jeffrey Clark as, quote, a crime of opportunity.

In May, a grand jury in Georgia indicted a bar on multiple charges, including malice murder,

two counts of kidnapping resulting in bodily injury, two counts of aggravated assault with intent to commit rape,

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