The man accused of killing Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, at the University of Georgia in February was found guilty of murder on Wednesday. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, is a Venezuelan citizen who illegally crossed the US-Mexico border in 2022. He was released by border officials while his immigration case was pending review, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Ibarra’s status as an undocumented immigrant became a flashpoint in the heated debate over border security. President-elect Donald Trump and fellow Republicans have pointed to Riley’s killing as evidence that President Biden has not done enough to prevent potentially dangerous individuals from crossing the southern border.

Trump said in an X-post that he hoped the verdict would bring some “peace and closure” to Riley’s justice. ‘We love you, Laeken, and our hearts will always be with you. It’s time to secure our border and remove these criminals and thugs from our country so something like this can’t happen again!’ Trump said.

Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial. Instead, Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard entered judgment and found Ibarra guilty of all ten charges in Riley’s murder. Ibarra showed no emotion as the guilty verdicts or sentences were relayed to him through a translator.

Allyson Phillips, Riley’s mother, tearfully read a statement detailing the impact the killing had on their family. “He took my best friend,” Phillips said. “He ripped away every beautiful memory we will ever have with her.”

How we got here

Riley, a nursing student at Augusta University in Georgia, was reported missing by her friends on February 22 after she failed to return from a morning run. A police investigation ensued and her body was later found in the woods near a jogging path on the UGA campus. Authorities determined Riley died from blunt force trauma.

Ibarra was arrested on February 23, the day after Riley was killed, after a “strong” body of evidence pointed to Ibarra.

Ibarra pleaded not guilty to all ten charges against him, including premeditated murder, three counts of murder, kidnapping with bodily harm and aggravated assault with intent to rape.

Last week, prosecutor Sheila Ross said in her opening statement: “On February 22, Jose Ibarra donned a black hat, hoodie-style jacket, and a pair of black kitchen-style disposable gloves and went on a prowl for women at New York University. Campus in Georgia.” Ross also pointed to forensic evidence, claiming that Ibarra’s DNA, and only his DNA, turned up under Riley’s fingernails after “she fought for her life.”

Defense attorney Dustin Kirby argued that the DNA is “circumstantial evidence” and would not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Ibarra killed Riley.

Key revelations from the four-day trial period

• Bodycam footage of the responding officer played in court: Bodycam footage of the UGA officer who discovered Riley’s body in the woods was played in court. Sergeant Kenneth Maxwell testified Friday about discovering Riley’s partially nude remains and began CPR. Crying could be heard in the courtroom.

• Fingerprint found on Riley’s phone: Danielle Stuart of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation testified that a fingerprint was found on Riley’s phone, which was discovered under some leaves at the crime scene, as well as “reddish stains believed to be blood.”

• Visible scratches on Ibarra’s arms: UGA Police Officers Sgt. Joshua Epps and Cpl. Rafael Sayan testified that he saw scratches on Ibarra’s arms when they interviewed him outside his apartment on February 23. Epps testified that they “looked like fingernail scratches,” while Sayan, who questioned Ibarra in Spanish, testified that “he said he had a scratch, but he didn’t explain exactly where or how.”

• Search of Ibarra’s apartment: Annie Moorman, of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, testified that she found a set of kitchen gloves similar to those police found in a bush near Ibarra’s apartment complex. Two tablets and seven mobile phones were also seized. Moorman said no evidence of blood was found in the apartment.

• Selfies from Ibarra show the same clothing as the suspect: FBI Special Agent Jamie Hipkiss testified that selfie photos found on Ibarra’s cell phone, taken the day of Riley’s murder, show that he was wearing clothing “consistent with” that of the suspect, who was seen on video footage as he threw a black hat and navy blue jacket into the room. a waste container. Prosecutors said investigators recovered the jacket, which contained the DNA of Jose Ibarra and Riley.

• Riley’s smartwatch data reveals her final moments: UGA police officer and digital forensics expert Wesley Durkit extracted data from Riley’s Garmin running watch and cell phone. He testified that her movement speed abruptly decreased at 9:10 a.m. on February 22. Durkit testified that her heart rate dropped to zero beats per minute at 9:28 a.m.

• Riley’s final moments revealed: Footage from a campus security camera recorded the morning of Riley’s death was played in court. It showed a man wearing dark clothing and a hood lurking around an apartment complex near the path where Riley was killed shortly before 7 a.m. The video later showed Riley running along the path shortly after 9 a.m., about a half hour before she was killed.

• Riley’s last text message: UGA Police Sgt. Sophie Raboud recounted the last messages and calls Riley sent and received on February 22, 2024. This resulted in the following timeline:

  • 8:55 a.m.: Riley texted her mother, “Good morning,” adding, “I’m going for a run soon if you’re free to talk.”

  • 9:03 a.m.: Riley called her mother, but she didn’t answer.

  • 9:11 a.m.: Riley called 911. 911 called Riley back twice over the next few minutes.

  • 9:24 AM – 12:07 PM: Riley’s mother tried calling and texting her daughter several times, with no response.

  • 12:38 p.m.: Police found Riley’s body in a wooded area near the trail.

• Cause of Riley’s Death: Dr. Michelle DiMarco, a medical examiner with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, testified that Riley died from a combination of head trauma and asphyxiation, and that the manner of her death was homicide. DiMarco also testified that there were no signs of sexual assault.

• DNA Evidence: Forensic DNA expert Ashley Hinkle testified Tuesday that only two genetic profiles were found under Riley’s fingernails: hers and Ibarra’s. Hinkle also testified that part of a discarded hooded jacket found near Ibarra’s apartment contained DNA profiles belonging only to Ibarra and Riley.