The mother of slain Georgia student Laken Riley confronted her daughter’s killer in court and opened up about the fear her daughter felt in her final moments.

A judge in the province of Athens convicted Jose Ibarra on Wednesday, November 20, of murder, kidnapping and aggravated assault with attempted rape, among other charges. Ibarra was subsequently sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Authorities say Riley was found dead from blunt force trauma after Ibarra disfigured her face.

After the verdict, her family shared their memories and talked about the dreams Riley left behind.

“Jose had no compassion for my scared, panicky and struggling child,” said Riley’s mother Allyson Phillips, fighting back tears.

“There is no end to the pain, suffering or loss. On that horrific day, my precious daughter was attacked, beaten and shown no mercy,” she said.

“This sick, twisted evil coward showed no respect for Laken’s life,” she added.

Her sister Lauren Phillips told the judge about the siblings’ “inseparable” relationship.

“I think about how scared she must have been and how that man,” she said, pointing to Ibarra, “is the only man who actually witnessed that scene.”

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Judge H. Patrick Haggard handed down the sentence after a four-day trial that saw extensive evidence against Ibarra linking him to the crime: including his DNA and security footage from the area. Riley, prosecutor Sheila Ross said “noticed him” as she “fought for her life.”