Man found guilty of murder in the killing of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: NBC News

BREAKING NEWS Nov. 20, 2024, 11:24 AM EST

U.S. news
Man found guilty of murder in the killing of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley
Jose Antonio Ibarra was convicted on three counts of felony murder and counts of malice murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape and "peeping Tom."

By Daniella Silva

The man accused of killing Georgia nursing student Laken Riley was found guilty of murder Wednesday in a case that became a flashpoint in the immigration debate earlier this year ahead of the presidential election. ... Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, was convicted on three counts of felony murder and counts of malice murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape and "peeping Tom." He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.


------ Jose Ibarra, accused of killing a Georgia nursing student earlier this year, listens through an interpreter during his trial at Athens-Clarke County Superior Court on Friday in Athens, Ga.Hyosub Shin / AP

The decision was handed down by Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard on the fourth day of a bench trial. Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial and did not testify in his own defense. Sobbing could be heard in the courtroom as he delivered the verdict.

Prosecutors said Ibarra accosted Riley while she was out for a run on the morning of Feb. 22. She was found dead in a forested area off the University of Georgia campus in Athens after her roommates called police when she did not return home.

Riley's killing drew national attention to the immigration debate after officials announced that Ibarra is a Venezuelan citizen who entered the United States illegally in 2022. Donald Trump and other Republicans met with Riley's parents before a campaign rally in March and have used the case to call for stricter border policies.


------ UGA students during a vigil for Laken Riley on Monday, Feb. 26.Joshua L. Jones / USA Today Network

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Daniella Silva
Daniella Silva is a national reporter for NBC News, focusing on immigration and education.
https://twitter.com/DaniellaLSilva
[e-mail]

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-found-guilty-murder-killing-georgia-nursing-student-laken-riley-rcna180377

[Vogon_Glory]

1. A real piece of work. Throw the book at him

Whatever one’s position on the immigration issue, this guy was a real piece of work. Not that his being Venezuelan made him a murder suspect (Not when we ‘Murricans had guys like Gacy, Manson, Bundy, etc), but I don’t see any reason for the courts to be merciful.

Edit: Kudos to the forensics teams that nailed him.

Also, the women of the Americas are lucky this guy is out of circulation.

[jimfields33]

2. He's caused pain not only to the young woman's family but the

entire immigrant community. He’s an example of why immigrant support isn’t as big as it could be.

[Jose Garcia]

3. This became a cause celebre not because Ibarra was a immigrant, but

because Ibarra was caught crossing the border illegally and then let loose by ICE. It was a perfect example for those who believe that the federal government isn't taking illegal immigration seriously

[Initech]

5. The bloodlust on Twitter / X right now is absolutely insane.

Like I get it - the guy is a monster and is getting exactly what he deserved. But the hate that is just coming out of the social media trolls right now, holy shit. Also, fuck Tom Homan.

[Fullduplexxx]

4. He was in America because of the d e d program that trump signed into law shortly before leaving office

Iirc