Jose Ibarra found guilty of killing student on UGA campus

GEORGIA – José IbarraThe 26-year-old was found guilty Wednesday on all charges related to the murder of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley.

Jose Ibarra’s trial

The decision was announced by Judge H. Patrick Haggard late in the morning, following a high-profile hearing that included several days of testimony and closing arguments. The trial, which was conducted as a trial, ended with the prosecution presenting a case focusing on physical, digital and testimonial evidence.

DNA matching Ibarra’s was found on Riley’s body, and surveillance footage showed Riley running near University of Georgia intramurals the morning of his death. Additional video evidence allegedly captured Ibarra throwing a jacket containing Riley’s DNA into a trash can.

Data from Riley’s phone and Garmin watch helped prosecutors create a timeline of events leading to his death. They also shared the last text message they sent to his mother on the morning of February 22: “Good morning. I’m about to go for a run if you’re free to talk.” His mother sent a follow-up text 20 minutes later, but it went unanswered.

Special Agent Lucas Beyer of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called as a witness to rebut defense claims that the person on surveillance video could be Ibarra’s brother, Diego. Beyer testified that there was no evidence that Riley was placed anywhere other than Diego’s home the morning he was killed.

The defense rested its case without calling Ibarra to testify, and closing arguments were completed Wednesday morning.

The court adjourned after the verdict and reconvened shortly after 12:30 p.m. Meanwhile, Laken’s family and roommates made emotional victim impact statements.

After impact statements, both the prosecution and defense spoke, and Judge Haggard imposed the sentence of life in prison without parole.

Laken Riley’s death has become a rallying cry for immigration reform by former President Donald Trump and many others during the 2024 election. Ibarra and his siblings are undocumented immigrants from Venezuela.

PREVIOUS STORY: Laken Riley case

The defense in the high-profile murder trial of 26-year-old Jose Ibarra will continue presenting witnesses today. This came after the state settled its case late Tuesday after several days of emotional testimony.

The case involves the murder of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student whose body was found Feb. 22 on a wooded jogging trail near the University of Georgia campus.

Prosecutors rested the case just before 4 p.m. Tuesday after calling dozens of witnesses. Among the evidence presented was surveillance video showing Riley running near the university’s intramural grounds the morning of his death. Another video allegedly shows Ibarra trying to break into a graduate student’s apartment and then throwing a jacket containing Riley’s DNA into a trash can.

In court, prosecutors read the last text message Riley sent to her mother the morning of the murder: “Good morning. I’m about to go for a run if you’re free to talk.” Her mother sent a follow-up text about 20 minutes later, saying, “Please call me. I’m so worried about you.” Riley never answered.

Key evidence included strands of Riley’s hair found at the scene.

One witness testified that two hairs were found on one rock, and 27 hairs were found on a second rock, all of which matched Riley’s hair. Additionally, there was an Adidas hat that prosecutors allege Ibarra was wearing on surveillance video, which was first shown in court.

The defense presented three witnesses Tuesday. However, a significant development may affect their strategies. Jose Ibarra’s brother, Diego Ibarra, was expected to testify, potentially casting doubt on the state’s case. But Diego, who is involved in a separate immigration case, recently hired a new attorney and was advised not to testify. His absence could impact the defense’s ability to challenge the prosecution’s narrative.

Defendant Jose Ibarra stated that he would not testify in his own defense. The hearing continues today.