The Venezuelan man who was convicted of murdering Georgia nursing student Laken Riley was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
A judge handed down the verdict and sentence on Wednesday after Jose Ibarra, 26, requested a bench trial.
Riley was killed while jogging on the University of Georgia campus in February. Prosecutors said Ibarra also attempted to rape the 22-year-old, “asphyxiating her” and “seriously disfiguring her head by striking her head multiple times with a rock.”
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During the trial, special prosecutor Sheila Ross told the judge Riley “fought for her life” and “her dignity” during her encounter with Ibarra.
Riley's family and friends were crying in the courtroom as the verdict was read. Ibarra did not show any emotion — even as Riley's loved ones shared stories ahead of sentencing.
Riley's murder added to the national conversation about immigration. Ibarra reportedly entered the country illegally in 2022 and was allowed to stay while his immigration case worked its way through the court.
President-elect Donald Trump repeatedly mentioned the case while campaigning. He has promised a mass deportation of immigrants in the country illegally when he returns to office. His administration said the focus will initially be on individuals who have committed crimes.
After learning about the verdict, Trump posted a message on Truth Social about Riley and her family.
"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," he stated. "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!"
