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Laken Riley’s illegal alien killer found guilty, shows no emotion as he’s sentenced to life without parole

November 20, 2024 | | Print Article

The murder that outraged the nation has reached its conclusion as illegal alien Jose Ibarra is found guilty on all counts and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

Ibarra is convicted of the brutal murder of nursing student Laken Riley, and sobs could be heard in the courtroom as Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard announced the verdict.

Watch:

Ibarra, a confirmed member of the violent Venezuela gang Tren de Aragua, showed no emotion as the judge rendered his sentence.

Victim impact statements further detail the extent to which the sudden and malicious killing of Riley shook her family. Allyson Phillips, Riley’s mother, begged Judge Haggard to show Ibarra no mercy when it came time to hand down a sentence.

“There is no end to the pain, suffering, and loss that we have experienced or will continue to endure,” she said. “On that horrific day, my precious daughter was attacked, beaten, and shown no mercy. She fought for her life and dignity and to save herself from being brutally raped.”

“This sick, twisted, and evil coward showed no regard for Laken or human life,” Phillips added. “We are asking the same be done to him.”

Laken’s younger sister, Lauren Phillips, revealed she was accepted to her dream college at the University of Georgia, but was unable to celebrate with her sister.

“I had to get accepted into my dream school, the University of Georgia, without my sister telling me how proud of me she is and finally getting to live in the same town together again,” she said.

Riley’s step-father John Phillips read one of the final journal entries Laken had written before her tragic killing.

“To my future husband (…) I’m working every day, to become the best wife I can be,” she had penned.

“I’m here today to let your honor and the entire world know that Laken’s life was not apparently full of promise – but instead, was abundantly and exceptionally full of promise and was a shining beacon in the life of everyone that knew her,” the step-father explained.

Even President-elect Donald Trump weighed in on the verdict, hoping it brings “peace and closure” to the family.

“JUSTICE FOR LAKEN RILEY! The Illegal who killed our beloved Laken Riley was just found GUILTY on all counts for his horrific crimes. Although 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 to ensure that other families don’t have to go through what they have,” he posted on Truth Social. “We love you, Laken, and our hearts will always be with you. It is time to secure our Border, and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so nothing like this can happen again!”

Critics accused the government of failing Riley and other victims of illegal immigrants.

“Government failed Laken Riley at every step of the way,” Bill Melugin, who has been documenting the crisis at the southern border for years, wrote on X. “Her killer was in federal custody after crossing the border illegally, then released. He was released again in sanctuary city NYC after an arrest – ICE not notified. Then NYC gave him a taxpayer funded flight to GA, according to his partner’s testimony. It’s unacceptable at every single level. RIP Laken Riley.”

Sierra Marlee
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