A trial is underway for illegal immigrant suspects accused of killing student Laken Riley

The trial of the illegal Venezuelan immigrant accused of killing Georgian nursing student Laken Riley is underway Friday.

Prosecutors said the suspect, Jose Ibarra, who has ties to the Tren de Aragua gang, was “hunting for women” on Feb. 22 when he attacked Riley, 22, while she was jogging. Prosecutors said in court that Riley “fought for her life” as Ibarra held her down and strangled her until she died.

“He went hunting for females on the University of Georgia campus and during his hunt he encountered 22-year-old Laken Riley on her morning walk,” said prosecutor Sheila Ross. “When Laken Riley refused to be his rape victim, he repeatedly hit her skull with a rock.”

Riley’s death captured the nation’s attention. The Republican Party-led US House of Representatives passed the bill Laken Riley Law. It did not pass in the Democratic-led Senate.