Illegal immigrant Jose Ibarra has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for murdering Georgia nursing student Laken Riley.
The murder of Laken Riley gained national attention, sparking an immigration debate.
The big picture: Ibarra was found guilty of all 10 counts against him, including malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, and obstructing an emergency call.
- Prosecutors stated that Ibarra encountered Riley while she was running on the University of Georgia campus and killed her during a struggle.
- The family and friends of Laken Riley tearfully remembered her and asked for the maximum penalty to be given to Ibarra.
What they’re saying: President-elect Donald Trump and other Republicans used Riley’s death to highlight immigration policies, blaming it on the policies of Democratic President Joe Biden.
- “We love you, Laken, and our hearts will always be with you,” Trump wrote on social media. “It is time to secure our Border, and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so nothing like this can happen again!”
Driving the news: Evidence presented during the trial included DNA evidence, surveillance footage, and witness testimonies linking Ibarra to the crime.
- The trial began last Friday and included testimony from law enforcement officers, roommates of the victim, and neighbors of Ibarra before the defense rested their case.
