Family’s heartbreak as justice is served in Laken Riley murder case

ATHENS, GA. (TNND) — WARNING: Some may find the content of this story disturbing.

A Venezuelan man convicted of killing a 22-year-old Georgia nursing student will spend his life in prison.

Jose Antonio Ibarra was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole on Wednesday, 10 months after Laken Hope Riley’s body was found under a pile of leaves near the University of Georgia campus.

Riley was brutally attacked and killed by a migrant who was “prowling and preying on women” during his morning run on a trail he frequented.

Judge H. Patrick Haggard found Ibarra guilty of malice murder, four counts of felony murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to commit rape, aggravated battery, interfering with a 911 call, tampering with evidence and spying on Tom. The judge sealed Ibarra’s fate because Ibarra had waived his right to a jury trial.

Ibarra stood as Haggard read out his sentence. He did not appear to show any emotion as an interpreter relayed the judge’s words to him.

He was sentenced to consecutive life sentences. Ibarra has 30 days to seek post-verdict relief, including requesting a new trial or appealing the case.

Family and friends of Georgia nursing student Laken Hope Riley demanded justice during their impact statement.

Allyson Phillips, Riley’s mother, told Haggard that Jose Ibarra had no compassion for my frightened, panicking and struggling child.

His family stood behind him as he cried during his impact statement. “My precious daughter was attacked, beaten, and shown no mercy. She fought for her life and dignity and to save herself from being brutally raped because this sick, twisted, and evil coward had no respect for Laken and his human life,” Phillips said. .

He promised the judge to sentence Ibarra to life in prison with parole. Prosecutor Sheila Ross showed the body camera video in court taken when Phillips learned his daughter’s body had been found.

Jason Riley, the grieving father of the nursing student, expressed his daughter’s dreams and hopes for the future while asking the judge for the harshest punishment.

“She had worked hard to become a nurse, work with children, and spread God’s love. She was a loving, kind, and intelligent young woman. She had so much to offer the world, and her life was taken away from her. Very soon, I will never see her achieve those dreams. The void left behind is immeasurable.” said Jason Riley, crying.

“I will never forget him. I will keep his memory alive and I hope justice is served for him, not just because I’m his father, but because he deserves it. I ask you to think about the pain and the life that was taken. Jason Riley, why this happened, and why this tragedy happened He said it revealed the lasting effects it had on everyone who loved our amazing daughter, Laken Hope Riley.

Haggard, who “filled two notebooks full of notes” during the Laken Riley murder trial, said he listened to closing arguments and wrote down two things from each attorney. He noted that Ross described the evidence as “overwhelming and overwhelming” and that defense attorney Kaitlyn Beck reminded him that he had to “put my feelings aside” when making the decision.

Cries were heard as the verdict was read. Riley’s family and friends were seated in the courtroom during the hearing. four days of trial.

The Georgia case sparked a national debate about immigration during this year’s presidential campaign. Republicans, including President-elect Donald Trump, blamed Democratic President Joe Biden’s border policies for Riley’s death.

Trump took over social media platform Following the verdict being announced, they said: “The Outlaw who murdered our beloved Laken Riley has been found guilty on all counts for the terrible crimes he committed. While the pain and heartbreak will last forever, I hope this can help bring some peace and closure to his wonderful fighting family. For justice and We love you Laken and our hearts will always be with you to make sure other families don’t have to go through what you went through. It’s time to secure our border and eliminate these criminals and bandits from our country, nothing like this can happen again!”

On February 26, the White House released a statement regarding Riley’s murder, offering its condolences to the family.

“We want to extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Lake Hope Riley,” a White House spokesperson said in a statement to FOX News. “People should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law if they are found guilty. Given this is an active case, we would need to refer you to state law enforcement and ICE.”

The defense team rested the case in the morning.

Evidence showed that the killer killed Riley “because she wouldn’t let him rape her.”

About two dozen prosecution witnesses It was heard in the Athens courtroom.

Before closing the discussion, Ross played video footage of authorities questioning Ibarra’s brother, Diego. Surveillance video revealed that Diego had detected Riley throwing the jacket containing his DNA into the apartment complex dumpster.

“Of course I know my own brother,” Diego told police, according to Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Lucas Beyer.

The defense argued that the evidence in the case was striking and disturbing, but it did not prove Ibarra killed Riley.

During questioning of witnesses, defense attorneys attempted to cast doubt on Ibarra’s guilt by arguing that his brother Diego could not be excluded as a suspect.

Ibarra’s attorneys had planned to call Diego to the stand Tuesday afternoon but were unable to do so due to an ongoing lawsuit.

The defense team told Haggard they overheard an attorney for Diego advising his client not to testify in an immigration case because sentencing was pending. A defense attorney said Diego could have called another immigration detainee who could testify about statements he made while in custody, but the judge did not allow that because of hearsay concerns.

Diego Ibarra pleaded guilty in July to federal charges of possessing a fraudulent green card and remains in federal immigration detention awaiting sentencing.

Security footage from a camera along running tracks near the University of Georgia campus showed the court Tuesday Riley’s final moments alive.

Riley’s last communication with her mother was also described on Tuesday.

University of Georgia police Sgt. Examining the data on Riley’s phone, Sophie Raboud examined the timeline of activities on Riley’s phone.

Riley called her mother at 9:03 that morning, and when her mother called again about 20 minutes later, the student had encountered Jose Ibarra on a wooded jogging trail, according to trial testimony. Prosecutors said Ibarra killed Riley after a struggle, and data from Riley’s smartwatch showed his heart stopped beating at 9:28 a.m.

According to data from Riley’s phone, when Riley couldn’t answer the phone, her mother, Allyson Phillips, texted her several times; Casual at first, but then with increasing anxiety.

At 9:37 a.m., her mother texted, “Call me when you can.” Phillips called twice, and when her calls went unanswered, she texted her daughter at 9:58 a.m.: “Not answering while I’m running makes me nervous. Are you okay?” Phillips texted again at 11:47 a.m., writing: “Please call me. I’m so worried about you.” He and other family members continued to search for Riley.

Raboud’s testimony moved Phillips and other loved ones in court to tears.

The Feb. 22 murder on a college campus sparked a national debate over immigration after federal authorities revealed that Ibarra entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and was allowed to remain in the country while his immigration case was pending.

Editor’s Note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.