Jose Ibarra, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, has been sentenced to life without parole for the February 22 murder of nursing student Laken Riley, who was attacked while jogging near the University of Georgia campus.
Convicted of malice murder, felony murder, and other charges, Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial, leaving Judge H. Patrick Haggard to determine the verdict.
Riley’s family, who called Ibarra a “monster” and “truly evil,” urged the court for the maximum sentence, which was handed down an hour after the guilty verdict. The brutal crime, marked by severe violence, shocked the community, with Riley’s body discovered in a wooded area near running trails.
Ibarra’s immigration status, having entered the U.S. illegally in 2022, fuelled political discussions on border security.
Arrested multiple times before the murder, he was released before deportation proceedings could be initiated, sparking criticism of immigration policies.
Following the verdict president-elect Donald Trump issued a statement offering sympathy to Riley’s family and calling for stricter border controls to prevent similar tragedies.
“We love you, Laken, and our hearts will always be with you. It is time to secure our Border, and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so nothing like this can happen again!” tweeted Trump.
JUSTICE FOR LAKEN RILEY! The Illegal who killed our beloved Laken Riley was just found GUILTY on all counts for his horrific crimes. Although the pain and heartbreak will last forever, hopefully this can help bring some peace and closure to her wonderful family who fought for…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 20, 2024
Executing would save a whole lot of problems and save money
Good job. Immigration should be legal and thoroughly vetted. People who have nothing to contribute and/or wont assimilate, who hold views that don’t fit well with Western society, need not apply. Should be the same everywhere.