In a case that became a flashpoint in the nation’s debate over immigration during the 2024 election, the bench trial for the suspect in the murder of a nursing student on the University of Georgia (UGA) campus is underway.

As the trial began Friday, a defense attorney for Jose Ibarra said he's not guilty of murder and argued the evidence against him is circumstantial.

The man accused of killing Georgia nursing student Laken Riley began today with a bench trial after suspect Jose Ibarra waived his right to a jury. Ibarra was indicted on charges including three counts of felony murder and counts of malice murder.