Jose Ibarra found guilty for murder of Laken Riley, sentenced to life without parole

Heartbreaking body cam footage shown in Laken Riley case

The family of Laken Riley has closed a heart-wrenching chapter of their lives with the end of the murder trial against illegal immigrant Jose Ibarra. The 26-year-old was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole over the killing of their loved one, a nursing student at Augusta University.

ATHENS, Ga. - Jose Ibarra, 26, was found guilty Wednesday on all counts in the murder of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley. The verdict was delivered late in the morning by Judge H. Patrick Haggard after a high-profile trial that spanned several days of testimony and closing arguments.

The trial, held as a bench trial, concluded with the prosecution presenting a case centered on physical, digital, and testimonial evidence.

DNA matching Ibarra’s was found on Riley’s body, and surveillance footage showed Riley running near the University of Georgia’s intramural fields on the morning of her death. Additional video evidence allegedly captured Ibarra disposing of a jacket containing Riley’s DNA in a dumpster.

Data from Riley’s phone and Garmin watch helped prosecutors establish a timeline of the events leading up to her death. They also shared her final text message to her mother, sent on the morning of Feb. 22: "Good morning. About to go for a run if you’re free to talk." Her mother sent a follow-up message 20 minutes later, which went unanswered.

RAW: Jose Ibarra found guilty of killing Laken Riley

Jose Ibarra was found guilty of killing nursing student Laken Riley on Nov. 20. He was found guilty on all counts by a judge in an Athens courtroom.

Special Agent Lucas Beyer of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called as a rebuttal witness to address defense claims that the person in surveillance footage might have been Ibarra’s brother, Diego. Beyer testified that there was no evidence placing Diego anywhere other than at home on the morning of Riley’s murder.

The defense rested its case without calling Ibarra to testify, and closing arguments wrapped up Wednesday morning.

Closing arguments underway in Jose Ibarra trial

Closing arguments began on Wednesday morning in the Jose Ibarra trial. Ibarra is accused of killing nursing student Laken Riley while she was jogging on UGA's campus.

The court recessed following the verdict and reconvened shortly after 12:30 p.m., at which time Laken's family and roommates delivered emotional victim impact statements.

RAW: Laken Riley's mother's victim impact statement

Laken Riley's mother, Allyson Philips, gives a statement before the sentencing of Jose Ibarra, who was convicted Wednesday morning of killing the nursing student while she was jogging on the campus of the University of Georgia earlier this year.

"Jose Ibarra took no pity on my scared, panicked and struggling child," said Allyson Phillips, Riley's mother. "There is no end to the pain, suffering, the loss that we have experienced or will continue to endure."

"This sick, twisted and evil coward showed no regard for Lincoln or human life. We are asking that same be done to him," she continued.

RAW: John Phillips gives victim impact statement

John Phillips, step-father of Laken Riley, gives a victim impact statement after Jose Ibarra is convicted of killing Riley while she was jogging on the University of Georgia campus earlier this year.

Following the impact statements, both the prosecution and defense spoke and then Judge Haggard delivered his sentence – life in prison without the possibility of parole on one count of malice murder; life in prison without the possibility of parole on one count of kidnapping; 20 years on one count of aggravated assault; 12 months for hindrance of an emergency phone call; 12 months for one county of tampering of evidence; and 5 years on one Peeping Tom count.

All sentences will be served consecutively.

RAW: Lauren Phillips makes a victim impact statement

Lauren Phillips, sister of Laken Riley, makes a victim impact statement after Jose Ibarra was found guilty of murder by a judge on Wednesday morning.

RAW: Jason Riley gives victim impact statement

Jason Riley, father of Laken Riley, gives a victim impact statement after Jose Ibarra is convicted of killing the nursing student on UGA's campus earlier this year.

Politicians react to Jose Ibarra sentencing

The death of Laken Riley became a rallying cry for immigration reform during the 2024 election for former President Donald Trump and many others. Ibarra and his brothers are undocumented migrants from Venezuela.

Trump, Kemp applaud verdict against Laken Riley killer

President-elect Donald Trump and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp weighed in on Jose Ibarra's guilty verdict in the murder of Augusta nursing student Laken Riley who was killed on the campus of the University of Georgia. They applauded the decision and wished Riley's family and friends peace and healing as they continue to mourn.

Almost immediately after the sentence was announced, President-elect Donald Trump posted the following on X (formerly known as Twitter):

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp also posted a statement following the verdict on social media:

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation also shared their feelings after the verdict was announced:

The Source: Information for this story was taken from the court proceedings, which FOX 5 was in attendance for and live-streamed. The Associated Press also contributed to this report. Statements from Gov. Kemp and other public figures were obtained from social media platforms.

News Crime and Public Safety