‘This sick, twisted, and evil coward showed no regard for Laken or human life,’ victim’s mom says
An illegal immigrant who murdered nursing student Laken Riley, in a case that drew national attention, will spend 27 years plus two life sentences in prison, following a ruling this week.
Jose Ibarra kidnapped Riley on the campus of the University of Georgia and murdered her by “disfiguring her skull.” She attended nearby Augusta University and was out on a run when Ibarra, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, attacked her in February.
Athens Clarke County Judge Patrick Haggard “sentenced Ibarra to the maximum possible punishments for multiple charges, including kidnapping, aggravated assault with intent to rape, obstruction of a 911 call, tampering with evidence and a peeping tom charge,” according to The Christian Post.
Riley’s mom pleaded for the maximum punishment for Ibarra.
“This sick, twisted, and evil coward showed no regard for Laken or human life,” Alysson Phillips told the judge. “We are asking that the same be done to him.”
The case drew national interest, as many Republicans, including President Donald Trump, connected the murder to President Joe Biden’s lax immigration policies. Ibarra illegally entered the country in 2022, as part of the millions of people allowed to flood the country since 2021. Biden apologized for referring to Ibarra as an “illegal,” facing backlash from his party.
“JUSTICE FOR LAKEN RILEY! The Illegal who killed our beloved Laken Riley was just found GUILTY on all counts for his horrific crimes,” Trump wrote on X on Wednesday. “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.”
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
“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 wrote.
Gov. Brian Kemp similarly praised the ruling, saying that he is “glad that just has been delivered on behalf of Laken Riley.”
But, “we continue to mourn her loss with her family and friends and know that she should still be with us today,” he told the media.
Kemp too criticized “failed” “open border policies.”
“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.”
MORE: Teacher suspended for criticizing illegal immigration
IMAGE: Laken Riley/Facebook
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