The man accused of killing Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, at the University of Georgia in February was found guilty of murder on Wednesday. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, is a Venezuelan citizen who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally in 2022. He was released by border officials while his immigration case was awaiting review, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
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Ibarra’s status as an undocumented immigrant became a flashpoint in the heated debate over border security. President-elect Donald Trump and fellow Republicans have pointed to Riley’s murder as proof that President Biden hasn’t done enough to prevent potentially dangerous individuals from crossing the southern border.
Trump said in an X post that he hoped the verdict would bring some “peace and closure” who fought for Riley’s justice. “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!” Trump said.
Ibarra waived his right to a trial by jury. Instead, Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard rendered a verdict and found Ibarra guilty on all 10 counts in the murder of Riley. Ibarra showed no emotion as the guilty verdicts or sentencing were being relayed to him through a translator.
Allyson Phillips, Riley’s mother, tearfully read a statement describing the impact of the murder on their family. “He took my best friend,” Phillips said. “He ripped away every beautiful memory we will ever be able to make with her again.”
Ibarra pleaded not guilty to all 10 counts against him, including malice murder, three counts of felony murder, kidnapping with bodily injury and aggravated assault with intent to rape.
Key revelations from the 4-day trial
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Responding officer’s bodycam footage played in court: Bodycam footage from the UGA officer who discovered Riley’s body in the woods was played in court. Sgt. Kenneth Maxwell testified Friday about discovering Riley’s partially nude remains and started to perform CPR. Crying could be heard in the courtroom.
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Fingerprint found on Riley’s phone: Danielle Stuart, with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, testified that a fingerprint was found on Riley’s phone, which was discovered at the crime scene under some leaves, as well as “reddish stains suspected to be blood.”
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Visible scratches on Ibarra’s arms: UGA police officers, Sgt. Joshua Epps and Cpl. Rafael Sayan, testified to seeing scratches on Ibarra’s arms when they interviewed him on Feb. 23 outside his apartment. Epps testified that they “looked like fingernail scratches” while Sayan, who questioned Ibarra in Spanish, testified that “he said that he had a scratch, but he didn’t exactly explain from where or how.”
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Search of Ibarra’s apartment: Annie Moorman, of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, testified that she found a set of kitchen gloves similar to the ones police found in a bush at Ibarra’s apartment complex. Two tablets and seven cellphones were also seized. Moorman said no evidence of blood was found in the apartment.
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Ibarra selfies show same clothing as suspect: FBI special agent Jamie Hipkiss testified that selfie photos found on Ibarra’s cellphone taken the day of Riley’s killing show him wearing clothing that was “consistent with” that of the suspect, who was seen on video footage throwing out a black hat and navy blue jacket into a dumpster. Prosecutors said investigators recovered the jacket, which had Jose Ibarra and Riley’s DNA.
- Riley’s smartwatch data reveals her final moments: UGA police officer and digital forensics expert Wesley Durkit extracted data from Riley’s Garmin running watch and cellphone. He testified that her moving speed abruptly slowed down at 9:10 a.m. on Feb. 22. Durkit testified that her heart rate dropped to zero beats per minute at 9:28 a.m.
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