Man who killed Laken Riley sentenced to life in prison without parole

A man accused of killing Georgia nursing student Laken Riley while she was out jogging earlier this year was convicted Wednesday and sentenced to life in prison without parole in a case that reignited the national debate over immigration and crime.

Jose Ibarra, a 26-year-old undocumented immigrant from Venezuela, was found guilty of a total of 10 charges, including murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape and tampering with evidence.

Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard He reached the decision after hearing evidence and testimony from both Ibarra and Riley’s roommates, as well as dozens of experts and law enforcement officials since last week. The defense and prosecution agreed to hold a hearing where the judge alone would decide the facts of the case and the application of the law.

Riley, a student at Augusta University’s Athens campus, was found dead on February 22 in a wooded area near the University of Georgia trail he frequented. According to court documents, he had been hit in the head several times with a rock and strangled.

Riley’s family cried when the initial guilty verdict was announced, and many gasps and sobs could be heard in the courtroom. His mother and sister described the heartbreaking impact of Riley’s death as they gave victim impact statements before the judge handed down sentence.

“This monster took away our chance to see Laken graduate from nursing school. He took away our chance to meet our future son-in-law. He took away our chance to meet our grandchildren. And he took my best friend.” Riley’s mother is Allyson Phillips. he said in court Wednesday.

“He destroyed every good memory we could ever have with him again,” she added as she cried.

Phillips described her daughter as “smart, hard-working, kind, thoughtful, and most importantly, a child of God.”

Connolly Huth, Riley’s roommate, told Judge Haggard that he had lost his taste for running and was afraid to continue.

“I don’t run every day anymore,” Huth said. “I can’t imagine running in public while constantly looking over my shoulder and wondering if it’s my turn.”

Ibarra was seen mostly looking down as the sentence was read. He showed little emotion throughout the hearing.

Prosecutors present DNA evidence and defense advances alternative theory

During four days of testimony, Georgia prosecutors presented a litany of digital and physical evidence, including DNA, digital data and surveillance, to link Ibarra to Riley’s murder. The defense, meanwhile, focused on casting doubt on the state’s evidence and offered an alternative theory of the case, saying one of Ibarra’s brothers was responsible for the murder.

“Evidence that is subject to multiple interpretations is not evidence beyond a reasonable doubt,” defense attorney Kaitlyn Beck said in her closing statement Wednesday.

“I would like to remind your Honor that even if you think alternative theories of evidence are less likely, you should still find Mr. Ibarra not guilty even if they present reasonable doubt,” he added.

Genetic tests on Riley’s nail clippings showed a link to Ibarra’s genetic profile, prosecutors said. Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab scientist Ashley Hinkle testified Tuesday that generally someone “must either do some sort of scratching or touch the inside of the nail” to plant DNA under another person’s fingernails.

In a separate statement, UGA police Sgt. Joshua Epps said he noticed what “looked like fingernail scratches” on Ibarra’s arms and left wrist when he encountered her the day after Riley was killed. The defense questioned the quality and analysis of the DNA evidence.

Additionally, Hinkle testified that the blood-like stain on the dark blue jacket found in the dump contained Riley and Ibarra’s DNA. A witness also said he saw a person wearing a navy blue jacket the morning Riley was killed.

Surveillance video showed an unidentified person wearing a black Adidas hat stuffing the jacket into the trash can. The next day, police saw Ibarra’s brother wearing that hat, prompting Ibarra to question him, prosecutors said. Researchers also have a number of selfies They say Ibarra compromised himself with his own phone. In these photos, he is seen wearing clothes that match those seen in the surveillance video.

Reaction from Republican leaders to the guilty verdict

Several Republican leaders reacted to Wednesday’s decision and sentence; Many have previously highlighted the case to support their calls for tightening border security. Data reviewed by CNN shows no significant connection between illegal immigration and violent crime.

President-elect Donald Trump said in a statement that he hoped the guilty verdict could bring “some peace and closure” to Riley’s family, adding, “It is time to secure our border and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so there is no such thing.” It could happen again!

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp called Riley’s death “senseless” and applauded the courage his family showed during his murder trial. He criticized current immigration policy and said Ibarra should not be allowed to enter the United States.

“Open border policies failed Laken Riley, and today’s decision is a reminder that the safety of our communities must remain our number one priority. While our state has taken significant steps to address the impacts of the border crisis, I will not cease supporting efforts that secure our border and keep this state and our nation safe,” Kemp said in a statement.

Georgia officials sign law after Riley’s killing immigration enforcement legislation. The law requires local and state law enforcement officials to verify the immigration status of anyone over the age of 18 who is arrested, is in custody, or has an “officer has probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed.”

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