Man Convicted in Laken Riley Killing Seeks New Trial, Citing Legal Errors

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The man convicted of murdering Georgia nursing student Laken Riley is seeking a new trial.

Jose Ibarra, 26, was sentenced to life in prison without parole on November 20, 2024.

Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard found Ibarra guilty on all 10 charges, including malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, and aggravated assault with intent to rape.

Prosecutors said Ibarra attacked Riley, 22, during her run on the University of Georgia campus on February 22, fatally injuring her during a struggle.

His attorneys are now arguing the verdict is "contrary to law" and "contrary to the evidence," alleging unspecified legal errors.

Appeal Delays Legal Closure

The defense's motion, filed Monday, stops the clock on Georgia's 30-day appeal deadline.

It asserts that the court "committed other errors of law that necessitate a new trial" and allows for supplementation "after a full and thorough view of the facts and circumstances attendant to the trial of this case."

Evidence presented in the three-and-a-half-day trial included documentation of Ibarra's DNA under Riley's fingernails, her clothing, and his fingerprint on her phone.

Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial, leaving Judge Haggard to determine the outcome.

The defense contested these findings, raising questions about the integrity of the evidence and suggesting potential involvement by Ibarra's brother.

These arguments were ultimately rejected by Judge Haggard, who issued the maximum possible sentence for each charge.

Trump Anti-Immigration Rhetoric Fired Up

Federal immigration authorities confirmed that Ibarra––originally from Venezuela––entered the United States as an illegal immigrant in 2022. He remained in the country while pursuing further processing.

This detail fueled political controversy as the case unfolded.

Riley's killing became a focal point in debates over crime and immigration during the 2024 presidential campaign. Many Republicans suggested it was Democratic President Joe Biden's fault Ibarra had been allowed to stay in the States.

These criticisms ramped up following the news that he had been arrested six months prior to the murder in New York for "acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17 and a motor vehicle license violation."

President-elect Donald Trump said after the verdict, "It is time to secure our Border, and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so nothing like this can happen again."

He wished her family "peace and closure."

Riley Remembered by Family and Friends

Riley was a senior at Augusta University College of Nursing.

Her death shook both the Athens and Augusta communities, sparking vigils and calls for justice on a gigantic scale. Over $268,000 was raised on her memorial's GoFundMe page.

"Laken brought a sense of joy to our lives that has been missing ever since," her roommate Lilly Steiner told the court during testimony.

Her mother, Allyson Phillips, said there is "no end to the pain, suffering and loss that we have experienced or will continue to endure."

She lamented that Jose Ibarra was a "monster" who took her "best friend."

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press

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