A jury has declared a man guilty of murder in the case of Laken Riley, a Georgia nursing student whose death ignited a national debate on immigration during the recent presidential race.
Jose Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan, illegally entered the U.S. in 2022. He has been charged with murder and other crimes in connection with the death of Riley. Riley was found dead on the running trails in Athens while out for a morning jog.
Ibarra received a life sentence without the chance of parole after being found guilty.
On Wednesday, Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard made the decision after Ibarra chose to waive his right to a jury trial.
The trial of Ibarra concluded on Wednesday morning following three days of testimony. During the trial, prosecutors presented 29 witnesses, including law enforcement officers, Riley’s roommates, and a woman who resided in the same apartment as Ibarra.
Defense attorney Dustin Kirby expressed his condolences for the tragic death of Riley and acknowledged the graphic and disturbing nature of the evidence presented in the case. However, he raised doubts about the sufficiency of the evidence to prove Ibarra’s guilt and questioned the presence of his fingerprints on the phone, considering he was allegedly wearing gloves.
Kirby confidently stated that the evidence presented in the case strongly supports the fact that Laken Riley was murdered. However, he acknowledged that the evidence linking Jose Ibarra to the murder is based on circumstantial factors.
Riley’s parents, family, and friends filled the courtroom every day, their emotions running high as they listened to the testimony of the witnesses.
Throughout the trial, Ibarra remained attentive, dressed in a collared shirt and dark slacks, with his feet chained.
During the trial, Riley’s family and loved ones shared heartbreaking testimonies, vividly illustrating the profound impact her loss has had on their lives.
In a heart-wrenching testimony, Allyson Phillips, Riley’s mother, expressed the devastating impact of Ibarra’s actions, as he forcefully took away the opportunity to create cherished memories with Riley.
“Laken’s life wasn’t the sole casualty of that fateful day when Jose Ibarra launched his attack. The lives of her loved ones were also shattered beyond repair,” she expressed with a heavy heart. “This monstrous act robbed us of the joy of witnessing Laken’s graduation from nursing school.
It deprived us of the opportunity to embrace our future son-in-law. It obliterated any possibility of us experiencing the immense joy of meeting our grandchildren. And most painfully, it snatched away my dearest companion and confidante.”
President-elect Donald Trump, who frequently utilized Riley’s death as a means to advocate against immigration during his campaign, also shared his thoughts on the verdict.
“JUSTICE FOR LAKEN RILEY! The perpetrator who unlawfully took the life of our beloved Laken Riley has been pronounced GUILTY on all charges for his heinous acts,” Trump expressed on Truth Social.
“While the anguish and sorrow will endure indefinitely, it is our hope that this verdict can provide some solace and finality to her remarkable family, who tirelessly fought for justice, and serve as a deterrent to prevent other families from experiencing similar ordeals.”