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A memorial to Laken Riley at Lake Allyn Herrick on the campus of the University of Georgia on June 7, 2024, in Athens, Georgia. On February 22, 2024, Riley, a nursing student at Augusta University, was killed while she was jogging at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. Her body was found in Oconee Forest Park near the lake. The suspect, José Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan, had reportedly entered the US illegally. ELIJAH NOUVELAGE/AFP via Getty Images

Last week, illegal immigrant Jose Antonio Ibarra finally faced trial for killing 22-year-old UGA nursing student Laken Riley. Now, the court finally has a decision.

The Georgia judge sentenced Ibarra to life in prison without parole for the brutal murder of Riley.

According to BBC, Ibarra, an undocumented Venezuelan immigrant, was found guilty of 10 counts against him, these include felony murder and attempted rape. The verdict brought tears to Riley's loved ones, but Ibarra showed no visible reaction.

Testimonies Against Ibarra

The testimony told horrid details of the crime. The prosecutors stated that Ibarra ran after Riley and confronted her with a rock on campus, where a fierce fight ensued. The data from Riley's smartwatch showed that she called the police before sustaining fatal injuries.

DNA was shown to have been found under Riley's nails, connecting Ibarra to the crime. Though the defense argued that the evidence was circumstantial, the judge sustained the prosecution ruling.

Ibarra illegally entered the US in 2022 and was supposed to be deported for further processing over past minor arrests. Critics argued that if only the government had detained Ibarra earlier, he would not have committed such a heinous crime. This case became a rallying point during the 2024 presidential election, influencing debates on immigration policies.

The murder of Riley profoundly affected her community and raised pleas for justice and reform. Her family, friends, and advocates attended court hearings in hopes of closure. Per CBS News, the case also raised wider questions on campus safety, immigration enforcement, and violence prevention.

President-elect Donald Trump latched onto the story of Riley to emphasize a need for stricter border control, and opposition continued to urge that focus be placed on systemic issues rather than individual cases.

Topics University of Georgia