By Hannah Parry
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Donald Trump has said he hopes Jose Ibarra's conviction for the murder of Laken Riley will bring "peace and closure" to her family. Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan migrant, was today found guilty of all ten counts and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Georgia nursing student Riley. "Justice for Laken Riley," said Trump, who often brought up Riley's murder on his campaign trail while discussing his plans for "mass deportation" and increased border security. Trump repeatedly blamed Riley's death on President Joe Biden's administration and its border policies. "It is time to secure our Border, and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so nothing like this can happen again," the president-elect added on Truth Social.
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Nov 20, 2024 at 03:08 PM EST
What has Trump said about Laken Riley’s murder?
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President-elect Donald Trump often mentioned the murder of Laken Riley while he was on the campaign trail as he argued for "mass deportations" and increased border security.
Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old migrant from Venezuela, was convicted of murdering the 22-year-old nursing student today and sentenced to life in prison.
"Laken Riley would be alive today if Joe Biden had not willfully and maliciously eviscerated the borders of the United States and set loose thousands and thousands of dangerous criminals into our country," Trump said earlier this year, before Biden dropped out of the presidential race.
In October, at a Georgia rally, Trump once again mentioned Riley as he accused then-presidential candidate rival Kamala Harris of allowing criminals to enter the U.S. via an open border.
"Right here in Georgia, our nation was robbed of a brilliant 22-year-old nursing student, Laken Riley," he said.
"She was killed viciously while out on a jog, she was assaulted, beaten and horrifically murdered by an illegal alien."
Trump also met with members of Riley's family before one of his rallies to discuss the case.
After Ibarra was convicted he posted, "JUSTICE FOR LAKEN RILEY! 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!"
Nov 20, 2024 at 02:52 PM EST
Georgia AG says Laken Riley’s murder was ‘preventable’
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr thanked prosecutors for securing a conviction in the murder of Laken Riley, as he said her death was a tragedy that could have been avoided.
"Laken Riley's death should have never occurred," he said in a statement on X.
"It was preventable, which only makes this tragedy even more devastating."
He added he was grateful to the prosecution team, "for ensuring that a conviction was obtained and we will continue to pray for all who knew and loved Laken."
Nov 20, 2024 at 02:47 PM EST
Republican senator calla on attorney general to demand death sentence for Jose Ibarra
Sen. Colton Moore has called on Attorney General Chris Carr to file an emergency motion to demand the death penalty for Jose Ibarra.
"District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez let her radical political agenda stand in the way of justice," he said on X.
"By refusing to seek the death penalty, she denied Laken's family, friends, and community the full measure of justice they deserve.
"Join me in calling on AG Chris Carr to demand the death penalty for Jose Ibarra."
Nov 20, 2024 at 02:41 PM EST
What happened to Laken Riley?
Laken Riley, 22, was found dead in a wooded area of the University of Georgia campus on February 22, 2024.
The nursing student had been out jogging when she was killed by Jose Antonio Ibarra, who was found guilty today.
The court heard he had been going "hunting for females" when he saw her and "bashed her skull in with a rock". His defense lawyers argued evidence linking him to the murder was "circumstantial".
Riley was wearing a smartwatch when attacked which showed she "fought for her life, fought for her dignity."
Nov 20, 2024 at 02:26 PM EST
Jose Ibarra showed no emotion as he was sentenced to life without parole
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Laken Riley's family and friends cried as Jose Ibarra was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for her murder.
But Ibarra, 26, showed no reaction as his sentence was read out in court.
Judge Patrick Haggard admitted that the sentence was unlikely provide closure in such a tragic case.
"I acknowledge there is no such thing as closure. There will be no closure," he told the court.
Nov 20, 2024 at 02:17 PM EST
What is Tren de Aragua?
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TdA, one of the largest and most violent criminal organizations in South America, has been expanding its presence in the U.S., as evidenced by U.S. Border Patrol reports of significant apprehensions among its members—41 in FY2023 and 23 in FY2024—highlighting its growing activity.
The transnational criminal organization, formed in a Venezuelan prison and named after the state where it was founded, focuses on human trafficking, extortion and other abuses targeting vulnerable migrants.
In October, Mexican authorities issued warnings that migrant caravans traveling toward the U.S. are being "extorted" by the infamous crime syndicate and the gang is also accused of smuggling women and girls for sexual exploitation.
A report by Telemundo estimates that the gang has approximately 5,000 members and generates annual profits ranging from $10 to $15 million.
The crime syndicate has been connected to a string of high-profile crimes on U.S. soil.
Nov 20, 2024 at 02:17 PM EST
Laken Riley’s father choked back tears in court as he says ‘I will never forget her’
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Laken Riley's father, Jason Riley, struggled to hold back tears as he told the court that he would spend "the rest of my life navigating this grief."
"I will never forget her," he said as her killer, Jose Ibarra, was jailed for life for her murder.
"I will never hear her laugh again, never see her smile, never hold her hand or feel her hug.
"She was taken from us, from her family, from her friends, from her future. Our world has been torn apart and no matter what happens here today, nothing will ever bring her back."
Nov 20, 2024 at 02:12 PM EST
Is Laken Riley’s convicted killer Jose Ibarra in a gang?
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The suspect convicted of murdering Georgia nursing student Laken Riley is a documented member of the notorious Venezuelan crime syndicate Tren de Aragua (TdA), NewsNation reports.
It emerged that the 26-year-old illegal immigrant was a reported member of the notorious gang, alongside at least one of his brothers.
The gang was thrust into the national conversation surrounding immigration after a viral video surfaced on social media, depicting armed members storming an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado. Since then, TdA's presence has been reported across the country.
Newsweek contacted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for comment via email Monday morning.
Read more from Billal Rahman on Newsweek.
Nov 20, 2024 at 02:02 PM EST
Laken Riley autopsy details revealed by medical examiner
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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, who was a Georgia nursing student, died on Feb. 22 after what prosecutors describe as a violent attack by the accused, Ibarra, while she was jogging on a wooded trail near the University of Georgia campus.
Dr. Michelle DiMarco of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) testified in court on Tuesday that Riley's body showed injuries across multiple areas, including her head, neck, torso, and limbs. DiMarco identified eight cuts to Riley's head, one of which caused a skull fracture.
The injuries "could be consistent with a rock," DiMarco said. A GBI specialist testified Riley's DNA was found on two rocks at the scene.
Additional testing revealed Riley's DNA on a blue jacket found in a trash bin 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 in full from Shannon McDonagh on Newsweek.
Nov 20, 2024 at 01:58 PM EST
Laken Riley’s mother told judge to show no mercy in sentencing
Laken Riley's mother, Allyson Phillips, had implored the judge to show no mercy in sentencing Jose Ibirra.
Phillips told Judge H. Patrick Haggard that Ibarra "showed no regard for Laken or human life," so asked "the same be done to him."
"Laken's life was not the only life taken on that day that Jose Ibarra attacked her. The life of her family and friends was taken, too. None of us will ever be the same," Phillips said.
"This monster took away our chances to see Laken graduate from nursing school. He took away our ability to meet our future son-in-law. He destroyed our chances of meeting our grandchildren. And he took my best friend," she added.
Nov 20, 2024 at 01:52 PM EST
Jose Ibarra will not face the death penalty
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A judge sentenced Jose Ibarra to life in prison without possibility of parole.
Judge H. Patrick Haggard found Ibarra guilty of ten criminal counts over the murder of Laken Riley.
The prosecution did not seek the death penalty.
Nov 20, 2024 at 01:50 PM EST
Prosecution says Laken Riley’s sister ‘should not have to worry’ about Ibarra getting parole
Ahead of the announcement of Ibarra's sentence, Prosecutor Sheila Ross told the court that Ibarra should receive life because Laken Riley's sister Lauren Philips should not have to worry about Ibarra potentially getting parole.
"She's growing up without her sister," Ross said. "She's going to have to deal with elderly parents alone. Her children won't have an aunt. She is an only child, and she should not have to worry 30 years from now, 40 years from now, if he [Ibarra] comes up for parole, should he might get out," Ross argued.
Nov 20, 2024 at 01:49 PM EST
Trump celebrates ‘justice for Laken Riley’ after killer’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 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.
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!"
Nov 20, 2024 at 01:47 PM EST
Man accused of killing Laken Riley sentenced
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Jose Ibarra, the man accused of murdering Laken Riley while jogging through the woods at the University of Georgia, has been sentenced to life in prison without possibility of release.
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