The illegal migrant accused of killing Georgia nursing student Laken Riley will stand trial later this month – after his lawyers attempted to delay proceedings and expel crucial evidence seized in the investigation.

Judge Patrick Haggard denied motions to exclude evidence related to DNA, fingerprints and cellphone data during a preliminary hearing in Athens-Clark Superior Court on Friday, after attorneys for Jose Ibarra’s defense argued that the materials had been illegally collected by law enforcement, local media reported.

Defense attorney Dustin Kirby also tried to delay the trial — which is scheduled to begin Nov. 13 — by challenging the reliability of the DNA evidence and insisting the data was so “voluminous and technical” that he could take up to six weeks for an expert to review them. .

“I’ve tried to understand the data and I can’t,” Kirby told the trial judge, citing DNA evidence produced by genetics company TruAllele Casework Software. according to the Athens Banner-Herald.

Haggard indicated he would not delay the trial, but would allow the accused killer’s defense to name a systems expert to the stand during the trial, the outlet reported.

Ibarra, a Venezuelan migrant whose family has ties to the dangerous Tren de Aragua gangis accused of killing a 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student while she was on a morning run at the nearby University of Georgia campus in Athens in February.

Ibarra, 26, allegedly pulled up her clothes to sexually assault her, then punched her in the head and asphyxiated her, according to prosecutors.

Riley was found near her apartment after a friend called police when she didn’t return home from jogging.

Police arrested the suspect the next day at his South Milledge Avenue apartment, who has since pleaded not guilty to all 10 counts of intentional murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault and related crimes.

The case has sparked a national debate since Ibarra entered the country illegally via El Paso, Texas, and was released by immigration authorities due to lack of space.

He was then arrested in New York in August 2023 for driving a gasoline moped with a 5-year-old child on the back without a helmet or seat belt.

He was released in that case before fleeing to Georgia to join his brother Diego, one of his family members linked to the now-notorious Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang, officials said.

Defense of the alleged killer previously requested a change of location due to widespread media coverage surrounding the case – a request the judge denied last month.

Ibarra is being held without bail at the Athens-Clarke County Jail while awaiting trial.