Laken Riley murder: Jose Ibarra found guilty, sentenced to life in prison without parole

ATHENS, Ga. — The suspect in the murder of nursing student Laken Riley on the University of Georgia campus has been found guilty on all 10 counts on Wednesday.

Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard read a guilty verdict for Jose Ibarra in front of a courtroom packed by Riley’s family and friends.

Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial for a bench trial, where the judge was the sole person responsible for a verdict and sentencing.

Haggard sentenced Ibarra to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Ibarra has 30 days to appeal the case directly or request a new trial.

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Before Haggard announced the sentencing, Riley’s parents, sister, roommates and friends delivered victim impact statements, describing how the terror from the day Riley was killed still lives with them today.

“Jose Ibarra took no pity on my scared, panicked and struggling child. There is no end to the pain, suffering or loss that we have experienced or will continue to endure. On that horrific day, my precious daughter was attacked, beaten and shown no mercy. She fought for her life, dignity and to save herself from being brutally raped. This sick, twisted and evil coward showed no regard for Laken’s life,” said Allyson Phillips, Riley’s mother.

“Jose Antonio Ibarra has completely ruined my life and I can only hope and pray that he receives a sentence that ruins his,” Riley’s sister Lauren Phillips said.

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On Feb. 22, 2024, Riley, 22, was found dead after going for a jog, on the university’s intramural fields and never returned. Police found her unconscious and injured in a wooded area behind the fields. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators arrested Ibarra, a Venezuelan immigrant who was in the country illegally. His brother, Diego, pleaded guilty to possession of a fraudulent green card.

The prosecution said Ibarra attacked Riley, asphyxiated her and tried to sexually assault her. An autopsy determined that Riley died of blunt force trauma to her head and asphyxia.

During the trial, the prosecution showed the judge surveillance video of Riley jogging just minutes before she was killed. Prosecutors also revealed phone records that showed Riley called her mother at 9:03 a.m. before her run and called 911 just eight minutes later.

Riley’s mother tried calling her back and when she didn’t pick up, she sent at text at 9:37 a.m. that read “Call me when you can.”

She tried calling again and sent another text at 9:58 a.m. “You’re making me nervous not answering while you’re out running. Are you OK?”

Other family members tried calling and texting. Her mother sent a text at 11:47 a.m. that read “Please call me. I’m worried sick about you.”

Police discovered Riley’s body at 12:38 p.m.

The trial began on Friday. The prosecution laid out its case in three days and called to the stand Riley’s roommate, a woman who lived with Ibarra and more than a dozen law enforcement officers.

The defense called a police officer, a jogger and one of Ibarra’s neighbors on Tuesday and rested their case Wednesday morning.

After the closing arguments, Judge Haggard announced a guilty verdict on all charges: one count of malice murder; three counts of felony murder; and one count each of kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape, aggravated battery, obstructing an emergency call, evidence tampering and being a peeping Tom.

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Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issued a statement Wednesday, saying:

“Though we are glad that justice has been delivered on behalf of Laken Riley, we continue to mourn her loss with her family and friends and know that she should still be with us today. The information revealed in this trial was heartbreaking, and we applaud the bravery of Laken’s loved ones for reliving that horrible day to ensure her killer faced the consequences of his senseless actions. We will not let ourselves forget Laken or stop working to ensure her memory lives on.

“This criminal should never have been allowed to enter our country, and he certainly should not have been allowed to stay after shamelessly breaking our laws. Open border policies failed Laken Riley, and today’s verdict is a reminder that the safety of our communities must remain our number one priority. While our state has taken considerable actions to address the impact of the border crisis, I will not waver in supporting efforts that secure our border and keep this state and our nation safe.”

President-elect Donald Trump also issued a statement, saying:

“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 Justice, and to ensure that other families don’t have to go through what they have. 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!”

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