Illegal Venezuelan immigrant Jose Ibarra was found guilty of ten charges, including felony murder, attempted rape, and kidnapping, in the brutal killing of University of Georgia student Laken Riley. The verdict handed down on Wednesday came after a trial that highlighted the harrowing details of Riley’s last moments, during which she fought her assailant for 18 minutes and managed to make a 911 call.
The courtroom reacted emotionally to the verdict, while Ibarra, 26, remained stoic as the charges were read.
Laken Riley's Killer: GUILTY!#JusticeForLakenRiley pic.twitter.com/x7YxCn8FcK
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The prosecution’s case was bolstered by overwhelming evidence, leading to a swift trial. Ibarra had previously waived his right to a jury trial, and Judge Patrick Haggard passed the verdict from the bench just 19 minutes after closing arguments.
During her closing remarks, Prosecutor Sheila Ross spent 45 minutes summarizing the brutal details of Riley’s death, as well as the “overwhelming” evidence against Ibarra.
“[H]e put huge holes in her head with a rock and he did it more than once,” she said. “There is no reason for him to do that except to silence her forever.”
Ibarra now faces life in prison for the murder.
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