Man accused of raping University of Georgia student in downtown Athens
Laken Riley’s convicted killer seeks new trial
Jose Ibarra’s new legal team argues that errors during the initial trial justify a new trial. Judge Patrick Haggard, who presided over the original trial and imposed the maximum sentence, will hear the motion in Georgia.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A 19-year-old man is accused of mugging a University of Georgia student in downtown Athens, allegedly forcing her behind a building and offering to walk her to her home before raping her, police said.
Athens-Clarke County Police officers responded to a report of a rape in the downtown area near the University of Georgia campus just after 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 28.
Investigators determined that Tydarius Wingfield, 19, of Athens, approached the female victim, a UGA student who did not recognize her, and offered to walk her home.
During the encounter, Wingfield allegedly forced the woman behind a building and sexually assaulted her.
Tydarius Wingfield, 19, was charged with kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, battery and rape following an alleged attack involving a University of Georgia student in downtown Athens. (Classic City News/Athens-Clarke County Police Department)
Authorities say the department’s Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) played a key role in identifying the suspect. Investigators used downtown security cameras to monitor the scene and track the movements of both the victim and Wingfield after the attack. Officers were able to track Wingfield through downtown and positively identify him using the camera system.
Wingfield was taken into custody and charged with kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, battery and rape. Jail records show he was denied bail and remained in custody.
The alleged attack comes as the university community continues to grapple with safety concerns following the high-profile 2024 murder of nursing student Laken Riley.
EXCLUSIVE: 17,500 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE ARRESTED UNDER THE LAKEN RILEY ACT DURING TRUMP’S SECOND TERM
Jose Ibarra (left) was found guilty of 10 felonies in the death of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley (right). (Hyosub Shin/Atlanta Magazine-Constitution via AP, Pool)
On Feb. 22, 2024, 22-year-old Riley went for a morning run on UGA’s intramural fields and never returned. Authorities later found him unresponsive in a wooded area near popular campus trails.
Prosecutors said Riley was killed during a violent struggle with Jose Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan citizen who was in the United States illegally at the time. According to trial testimony, Ibarra saw Riley running shortly after 9 a.m., attacked her, dragged her about 20 feet into a wooded area and killed her by repeatedly hitting her in the head with a rock.
Ibarra was later convicted of murdering Riley and sentenced to life in prison without parole. He has since requested a new trial.
MASSACHUSETTS TOWN FACES LAWSUIT OVER ALLOWING CRIMINAL IMMIGRANTS AND SEX OFFENDERS TO RENEW BUSINESS LICENSES
Exterior view of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department in Athens, Georgia. (Mark Sims for Fox News Digital)
Now, Riley’s father, Jason Riley, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Gwinnett County State Court against the University System of Georgia and the owners of the apartment complex where Ibarra lived.
According to the case, Obtained by FOX 5 AtlantaJason Riley is seeking $1 million in damages for the loss of his daughter’s life and friendship.
The lawsuit, filed two years after his death, alleges that the University System of Georgia failed to provide a safe environment in Athens and failed to warn students after Ibarra was allegedly seen spying on someone in the UGA dormitory the day Riley was killed.
CHRISTMAS ICE OPERATION ‘MELEK ONUR’ MADE THE CHILD RAPIST AND TORTURER CRY
Laken Riley’s father, Jason Riley, attends the hearing of Jose Ibarra, who is accused of killing a Georgia nursing student earlier this year, in Athens-Clarke County Superior Court on Friday, November 15, 2024, in Athens, GA. (Hyosub Shin/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, Repository)
“Had the defendant Trustees warned the public, the Athens community, and students like Ms. Riley of the threat posed by Ibarra, Ibarra would not have had the opportunity to attack and kill Ms. Riley,” the lawsuit states. The statement is included.
The complaint also alleges that the university system failed to properly screen employees when it hired Ibarra’s brother; authorities said his brother submitted a fake green card to get a temporary job at the UGA cafeteria. He also claims the apartment complex where Ibarra lived did not adequately screen residents.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
“Out of respect for Laken and his family, we have no comment on the recently filed lawsuit,” a UGA spokesperson told FOX 5 Atlanta. A spokesperson for the University System of Georgia added: “We do not comment on pending litigation.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to UGA for additional comment.
Stepheny Price covers crimes including missing persons, murders and immigration crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
Related Article
