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Murder suspect Laken Riley’s wife pleaded for answers during jailhouse appeal
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Murder suspect Laken Riley’s wife pleaded for answers during jailhouse appeal

The wife of the man suspected of murder Georgia student Laken Riley He allegedly demanded answers during a prison call in May, a court heard.

Jose Ibarrawho was charged with murder, among other crimes, in the February slaying of Riley, 22, in Athens, Ga., spoke to the second day of judgment in an Athens County Courthouse on Monday, Nov. 18.

Among more forensic evidence and witness testimony, prosecutors presented a recording of a call between Ibarra and his wife, Layling Franco, who is heard pressing him for answers during a phone call in May, Atlanta News First, NBC News and CBS News reported.

During the call, Franco appeared agitated, raising her voice at Ibarra, according to NBC News.

“What happened to the girl?” she asked him, according to the recording, cited by all three stations.

Ibarra, 26, responded with the same answer repeatedly: “Layling, enough!”

Franco also expressed his horror at the forensic evidence found at the scene and Ibarra’s conduct.

“She said she thinks it’s crazy that they don’t have anyone else’s DNA but his,” FBI Specialist Abeisis Ramirez, who translated the call from Spanish, told NBC News in court.

“… and she says she doesn’t understand how someone can see someone dying and not call 911,” Ramirez said of Franco’s call.

Jose Antonio Ibarra.

Clarke County Sheriff’s Office


Riley disappeared while jogging on the University of Georgia campus on Feb. 22, officials said at the time. Her body was found later that day; a medical examiner ruled that she died of blunt force trauma.

An arrest affidavit reviewed by PEOPLE accused the suspect of “disfiguring his skull” with an object in what authorities said was a “crime of opportunity”.

Ibarra was arrested shortly afterward and accused of “physically” preventing Riley from calling 911, according to the affidavit, which also says he also dragged her body to a secluded area .

He was accused of murder, kidnapping, assault and obstructing a 911 call, among other charges, PEOPLE previously reported. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to multiple agencies, including WSB-TVTHE Atlanta Journal Constitution and CNN.

Laken Hope Riley.

Laken Riley/Facebook


Monday’s testimonies made a difference the second day of a trial already emotional for Riley’s friends and families, who went through the recordings of her 911 call, as well as Ibarra’s stories. lack of concern or remorse following his arrest.

The prosecution is expected to rest its case on Tuesday, CNN reported.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.