(DailyChive.com) – A Georgia judge has sentenced Jose Ibarra to life in prison without parole for the February murder of nursing student Laken Riley, a student at Augusta University. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday by Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge Patrick Haggard, who found Ibarra guilty on ten charges, including malice murder, felony murder, and attempted rape.
Laken was killed near a lake on February 22, 2024, in a brutal attack. Ibarra, who pleaded not guilty, showed no reaction as the sentence was explained to him through a translator.
Laken’s mother, Allyson Phillips, spoke emotionally in court about the devastating loss. “On that horrible day, our family was given a life sentence of grief,” she said. “Jose Ibarra showed no mercy to my child, who fought to defend herself from his evil actions.” Phillips described Laken as a kind, hardworking person with a strong faith in God. She shared how her daughter had loved helping others through mission trips and her studies in nursing.
Laken’s family and friends expressed their heartbreak and anger during the trial. Her sister, Lauren, called Ibarra a “monster” and said, “He has ruined my life, and I pray his punishment reflects the pain he’s caused us all.” Her roommate, Lilly Steiner, described the emotional toll of living near the area where the crime happened.
During the trial, Laken’s stepfather read a touching journal entry she had written before her death. In it, Laken expressed her hopes for the future, her faith, and her plans to live a life dedicated to kindness and love.
The verdict brought some relief but also overwhelming grief to those who loved Laken. Family members sobbed in the courtroom as the judge announced the sentence.
President-elect Donald Trump commented on the case, using it to call for stricter immigration enforcement. “Justice for Laken Riley!” he wrote on social media, emphasizing the need to secure borders and prevent similar tragedies.
Though Ibarra will spend the rest of his life in prison, the pain for Laken’s loved ones will never fade.
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