Jose Ibarra is found guilty of murdering Laken Riley and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Heartbreaking CCTV footage aired in Laken Riley case

Laken Riley’s family ended a heartbreaking chapter in their lives after the murder trial of illegal immigrant Jose Ibarra ended. A 26-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of his loved one, a nursing student at Augusta University.

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

The bench trial ended with the prosecution presenting arguments based on physical, digital and witness evidence.

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

Data from Riley’s phone and Garmin watch helped prosecutors piece together a timeline of events leading to her death. They also shared her last text message to her mother, sent on the morning of February 22: “Good morning. I’m going 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 Laken Riley’s murder

Jose Ibarra was found guilty of killing nursing student Laken Riley on November 20th. A judge in an Athens courtroom found him guilty on all charges.

Special Agent Lucas Beyer of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called as a witness to rebut defense claims that the man in the surveillance footage could be Ibarra’s brother, Diego. Beyer testified that there was no evidence that Diego was anywhere other than home on the morning of Riley’s murder.

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

Closing arguments in Jose Ibarra case

Closing arguments began Wednesday morning in the case of Jose Ibarra. Ibarra is accused of killing nursing student Laken Riley while jogging on the UGA campus.

Court adjourned after the verdict and resumed shortly after 12:30 p.m. as Laken’s family and roommates gave emotional victim impact statements.

RAW: Victim Impact Statement for Laken Riley’s Mother

Laken Riley’s mother, Allison Phillips, gives a statement before the sentencing of Jose Ibarra, who was found guilty Wednesday morning of killing a nursing student while jogging on the University of Georgia campus earlier this year.

“Jose Ibarra showed no mercy for my scared, panicking and struggling child,” said Allison Phillips, Riley’s mother. “There is no end to the pain, suffering and loss we have endured or will continue to endure.”

“This sick, twisted, evil coward showed no respect for Lincoln or human life. We ask that you do the same with him,” she continued.

RAW: John Phillips gives victim impact statement

John Phillips, Laken Riley’s stepfather, is giving a victim impact statement after Jose Ibarra was found guilty of killing Riley while jogging on the University of Georgia campus earlier this year.

After impact statements were made by both the prosecution and defense, Judge Haggard then handed down the sentence: life in prison without the possibility of parole for one count of premeditated murder; life in prison without the possibility of parole on one count of kidnapping; 20 years for one count of aggravated assault; 12 months for obstructing an emergency call; 12 months for tampering with evidence in one county; and 5 years for one count of Peeping Tom.

All sentences will be served consecutively.

RAW: Lauren Phillips makes victim impact statement

Lauren Phillips, Laken Riley’s sister, is issuing a victim impact statement after Jose Ibarra was found guilty of murder by a judge Wednesday morning.

RAW: Jason Riley gives victim impact statement

Jason Riley, Laken Riley’s father, gives a victim impact statement after Jose Ibarra was found guilty of killing a nursing student on the UGA campus earlier this year.

Politicians react to Jose Ibarra verdict

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

Trump and Kemp applaud the verdict of Laken Riley’s killer

President-elect Donald Trump and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp spoke out about Jose Ibarra’s conviction in the murder of nursing student Augusta Laken Riley, who was killed on the University of Georgia campus. They welcomed the decision and wished Riley’s family and friends peace and healing as they continue to grieve.

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

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp also released a statement following the verdict on social media:

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation also shared its sentiments following the verdict:

Source: Information for this article was taken from a court hearing attended by FOX 5 and broadcast live. The Associated Press also contributed to this report. Statements from Governor Kemp and other public figures were sourced from social media.