2:02 PM EST

Laken Riley’s Autopsy Details Revealed By Medical Examiner

The medical examiner who performed the autopsy on Laken Riley this week revealed the extent of her injuries during Jose Ibarra’s trial.

Riley, 22, a nursing student in Georgia, died on February 22 after what prosecutors described as a violent attack by the suspect, Ibarra, while she was jogging on a wooded path near the University of Georgia campus.

Dr. Michelle DiMarco of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) testified in court Tuesday that Riley’s body showed injuries in multiple areas, including her head, neck, torso and extremities. DiMarco identified eight lacerations on Riley’s head, one of which caused a skull fracture.

The injuries “could be consistent with a rock,” DiMarco said. A GBI specialist testified that Riley’s DNA was found on two rocks at the scene.

Additional investigation revealed Riley’s DNA on a blue jacket found in a trash can at Ibarra’s apartment complex. Ibarra’s DNA was also detected on the jacket and under Riley’s fingernails, further linking him to the crime, according to forensic testimony.

Read Shannon McDonagh’s full report on Newsweek.

1:58 PM EST

Laken Riley’s mother told the judge not to show mercy at sentencing

Laken Riley’s mother, Allyson Phillips, had begged the judge not to show mercy in sentencing Jose Ibirra.

Phillips told Judge H. Patrick Haggard that Ibarra “showed no respect for Laeken or for human life,” so he asked “to let him do the same.”

“Laeken’s life was not the only life taken the day Jose Ibarra attacked her. The lives of her family and friends were also taken. None of us will ever be the same,” Phillips said.

“This monster has taken away our chances of seeing Laken graduate from nursing school. He has robbed us of the opportunity to meet our future son-in-law. He has destroyed our chances of meeting our grandchildren. And he took my best friend,” she added.

1:52 PM EST

Jose Ibarra will not risk the death penalty

A judge sentenced Jose Ibarra to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Judge H. Patrick Haggard found Ibarra guilty of ten criminal counts for the murder of Laken Riley.

The prosecutor did not seek the death penalty.

1:50 PM EST

Prosecutors say Laken Riley’s sister “doesn’t have to worry” about Ibarra being paroled

Before announcing Ibarra’s sentence, prosecutor Sheila Ross told the court that Ibarra should receive a life sentence because Laken Riley’s sister Lauren Philips did not have to worry about Ibarra possibly being paroled.

“She’s growing up without her sister,” Ross said. ‘She will only have to deal with elderly parents. Her children will not have an aunt. She is an only child and she wouldn’t have to worry in thirty and forty years when he (Ibarra) comes. to be released on parole if he were to be released,” Ross argued.

1:49 PM EST

Trump celebrates ‘justice for Laken Riley’ after murderer’s conviction

Trump has celebrated ‘justice for Laken Riley’ after suspect Jose Ibarra was convicted of her murder.

In a post on Truth Social, President-elect Trump said: “The illegal who murdered our beloved Laken Riley was just found GUILTY on all counts for his heinous crimes.

“While the pain and heartbreak will last forever, hopefully this can help bring some peace and closure to her wonderful family who fought for justice, and ensure that other families don’t have to go through what they went through.

We love you, Laken, 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!”

1:47 PM EST

Man accused of Laken Riley’s murder sentenced

Jose Ibarra, the man accused of killing Laken Riley while jogging through the woods at the University of Georgia, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of release.