(NewsNation) — Jose Ibarra, accused of killing Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, has waived his right to a jury trial and will have his case heard by a judge.
The bench trial is now set to begin Friday with opening statements.
Riley, 22, was killed while out for a morning run. Her body was found near a popular trail, and her running route would have taken her past the apartments where Ibarra was living.
Her death prompted outrage after Ibarra was arrested, and it was found he had entered the country illegally.
Ibarra, originally from Venezuela, is facing multiple charges. Prosecutors say he attempted to rape Riley before asphyxiating her and hitting her in the head with a rock.
In response to Riley’s death, lawmakers introduced legislation that would mandate people without documents who are accused of certain crimes be detained and would allow states to sue the government for releasing migrants from custody.