Laken Riley: Convicted Killer Sentenced To Life In Prison In GA Murder

ATHENS, GA — A Georgia judge on Wednesday sentenced Jose Ibarra, the man convicted of killing 22-year-old Laken Riley, to life in prison without parole.

Riley's family, a jogger who was killed on Feb. 22 on the University of Georgia's campus, shared emotional statements Wednesday after Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard found Ibarra guilty of murder. Family members and friends had all urged the judge to sentence Ibarra to life in prison so he could never harm another person.

Ibarra, 26, a Venezuelan native, was found guilty of all counts, including malice murder and felony murder. State prosecutors requested a sentence of life in prison without parole rather than the death penalty.

Riley's family and friends in their statements shared Riley's love for God and others. They called Riley dedicated and patient.

The family called Ibarra a "coward" and asked for a sentence of life in prison without parole.

"He took my best friend," said her mother, identified in reports as Allyson Phillips.

Lauren Phillips, Riley's younger sister, through tears, said listening to the events that unfolded at the time of her sister's death was "almost unbearable."

"My parents will never be the same after losing their daughter in this tragic way," she said.

Ibarra's full sentence was as follows:

• Malice murder: Life in prison without parole
• Three counts of felony murder: Vacated
• Kidnapping with bodily injury: Life in prison consecutive to Count 1
• Aggravated assault with intent to rape: 20 years to serve consecutive to Count 5
• Aggravated battery: Merge with Count 1
• Obstruction or hindering 911 call: 12 months
• Tampering with evidence: 12 months consecutive
• Peeping Tom: 5 years consecutive to Count 6

Ibarra on last week waived his right to a jury trial and opted to allow Haggard to decide his fate.

The four-day murder trial ended Wednesday, with both sides of the aisle making their closing arguments. It took Haggard merely minutes to determine his verdict.

Ibarra was convicted of asphyxiating, attempting to rape and killing Riley on Feb. 22 at UGA's Intramural Fields. Riley died of blunt force trauma and asphyxiation, according to witness testimony.

It came out during the trial that Riley fought back and tried to call 911, but prosecutors said Ibarra thwarted that attempt and separated Riley from her phone.

State evidence showed Ibarra went to a woman's door the morning of Riley's death six times and peeped through her window. The woman could identify Ibarra by his black cap, prosecutors said.

This is the same cap Prosecutor Sheila Ross said he wore at the time of Riley's death. The next morning, his brother donned the hat, both the defense and prosecutors said.

Defense attorney Kaitlyn Beck explored the theory that Ibarra's brother could have killed Riley, but the state struck down the theory as Ross said the evidence does not put Ibarra's brother at the scene of the crime.

"There is no evidence that he did anything except be a brother to him," Ross said of Ibarra's brother during closing arguments.

She called the Beck's notion a "blend of desperation and mischaracterization of evidence." In her words, the defense took a "magic pixie dust" approach with their argument.

Furthermore, Ibarra's DNA was found on a white cup near a wood line, Ross said. She added he had been drinking at 7 a.m. that morning while he was “out prowling and hunting females.”

Beck challenged the state's DNA evidence, as well as the methods used to analyze it, with the defense calling them the weakest methods possible.

Riley was a Class of 2025 Augusta University nursing student and had received her honorary white coat in August 2023. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega and was taking classes at UGA for her program.

According to her obituary, Riley was born on Jan. 10, 2002 in Marietta. She had an adoration for nursing and helping others, and was employed as a nanny for two children.

In March, the U.S. House of Representatives passed House Resolution 7511, also known as the Laken Riley Act, with 37 Democrats supporting the Republican-backed bill.

If it becomes law, H.R. 7511 would "require the Secretary of Homeland Security to take into custody aliens who have been charged in the United States with theft," the bill stated.

HR 7511 has not yet passed the Senate.

RELATED

• Accused Laken Riley Killer Won't Testify; Prosecution Wraps Up
  
• Murder Suspect 'Went Hunting For Females': Laken Riley Trial
• Laken Riley Case: Man Accused Of Killing GA Jogger Waives Jury Trial
• Laken Riley: Suspect Faces New Charges In GA Jogger's Killing
• UGA Death: Suspect Accused Of 'Disfiguring' GA Student's Skull: Report
• UGA Deaths: Suspect Arrested In Woman's Killing; 2nd Student Dead ID'd
• Laken Riley Act Passes U.S. House After GA Student's Death
• 'She Was An Angel': Slain GA Student's Dad Speaks Out: Reports
• After GA Student's Death, Kemp Wants Answers From Biden Administration
• Foul Play Suspected In Woman's Death At UGA's Intramural Fields