ATHENS, Ga. — The man accused of murdering 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley while she was out for a run on the University of Georgia campus has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. On Wednesday, Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard handed down the decision after a four-day bench trial, finding 26-year-old Jose Ibarra guilty on all charges.
Riley was brutally attacked and killed in the woods behind UGA’s intramural fields on the morning of February 22, 2024.
The conviction and sentencing have drawn strong reactions from politicians and public figures, with many using the case to highlight broader issues of immigration and border security. The crime has become a rallying point for calls to reform federal immigration policies and strengthen border enforcement.
President-elect Donald Trump took to social media to express support for Riley's family and call for stricter immigration measures.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp issued a statement emphasizing the failures of current immigration policies while offering condolences to Riley’s loved ones:
"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," the statement reads.
"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."
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene called Ibarra an "illegal alien monster" and pointed fingers at Democratic immigration policies.
Rep. Mike Collins, another Georgian Republican, made a blunt and controversial statement following Ibarra's conviction.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) said the conviction "marked a tremendous step in the fight for justice for Laken Riley."
Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns pledged to support Trump’s upcoming policies while mourning Riley’s loss in a post on X,
"Today, justice was delivered for Laken Riley. My prayers remain with her loved ones as we all continue to mourn her tragic loss. The House will not waver in our commitment to keeping our fellow Georgians safe, and we stand ready to support President-Elect Trump’s efforts to secure our southern border."
Caitlyn Jenner also described the crime as the result of systemic failures in border control, calling Ibarra a "savage" who "should have never been here in the first place."