The murder trial for Jose Ibarra began Friday in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, with the courtroom hearing the chilling 911 call made by nursing student Laken Riley in her final moments.

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Riley, 22, was attacked and killed while jogging on the University of Georgia campus on February 22.

UGA police along with Athens-Clarke County police, Georgia State patrol and the GBI search the Cielo Azulyk apartment complex after executing a search warrant and arresting Jose Antonio Ibarra age 26 for the murder of Athens nursing student Laken Riley in Athens, Ga., on Friday, Feb. 23. 2024.

The first day of opening statements left her mother, Allyson Phillips, visibly distraught as she listened to the audio.

According to prosecutor Sheila Ross, Riley activated the emergency function on her cellphone at 9:11 a.m., triggering a 911 call.

The recording played in court captured the muffled sounds of a man’s voice but no clear words from Riley. The emergency operator could be heard repeatedly asking, “Clark County 911. Hello, Clark County 911. Can anyone hear me?” The call ended at 9:12 a.m., and the operator attempted to call back but received no response.

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Riley’s mother sobbed as the 911 call was played.

Meanwhile, Ibarra, the accused, sat silently without displaying any visible reaction.

In her opening statement, Ross outlined the brutal details of the crime, describing how Riley fought to survive during an 18-minute struggle.

Ross alleged that Ibarra had been “hunting for females” on the Athens campus when he encountered Riley and attacked her.

“When Laken Riley refused to be his rape victim, he bashed her skull in with a rock repeatedly,” Ross told the court. “The evidence will show that Laken fought. She fought for her life, she fought for her dignity, and in that fight, she caused this defendant to leave forensic evidence behind. She also marked her killer for the entire world to see.”

Ross explained that the evidence would prove Ibarra’s guilt, including forensic traces left at the scene and injuries that Riley inflicted on her attacker during the struggle.

Riley was reported missing later that morning by a friend who became concerned when she failed to return home from her run.

Authorities discovered her body in a wooded area off the running trail shortly after noon. The Athens-Clarke County coroner later confirmed that evidence of foul play was present at the scene and described her death as violent.

Ibarra, who has pleaded not guilty, faces charges including murder, aggravated assault, and attempted sexual assault.

The prosecution alleges that Ibarra’s intent was to attack and sexually assault Riley, but her resistance disrupted his plans.

The case has drawn significant public attention, particularly in the Athens community, where Riley was well-known as a nursing student.

Augusta University College of Nursing students arrive at a vigil for Augusta University College of Nursing and Alpha Chi Omega sorority member Laken Riley who was murdered on campus on Feb. 22, and Wyatt Banks, a UGA freshman who died by suicide on campus on Feb. 21., at the UGA Tate plaza on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024.

The trial is expected to continue next week, with testimony from forensic experts, witnesses, and law enforcement officials who responded to the scene.

Prosecutors are aiming to secure a conviction based on the forensic evidence and the timeline reconstructed from Riley’s 911 call and her reported disappearance.