BREAKING: The verdict for Laken Riley's killer is in

On February 22, 2024, an Augusta University nursing student named Laken Riley, 22, was brutally murdered while jogging at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. Her body was found in Oconee Forest Park.

José Antonio Ibarra, 26, an illegal alien was arrested for the murder and his trial ended today, Wednesday. Laken's friends and family spoke and even this writer had tears in my eyes. This was a bench trial, meaning that there was no jury but the judge will decide on the guilt or innocence of the defendant. 

The verdict is in and here is what the judge ruled:

Count 1, 2, 3 and 4: Malice Murder--GUILTY

Count 5. Kidnapping with Bodily Injury--GUILTY

Count 6. Aggravated Assault with Intent to Rape--GUILTY

Count 7. Aggravated Battery--GUILTY

Count 8. Obstruction or Hindering a 991 Call--GUILTY

Count 9. Tampering with Evidence--GUILTY

Count 10. Peeping Tom--GUILTY

Blank expression on Jose Ibarra's face as the verdict was recited by Judge H. Patrick Haggard. And as Laken's mother spoke about Ibarra through the tears only a parent can feel over the murder of their child, this POS had no expression on his face. He even refused to wear his headset to translate her words into Spanish. 

The face of evil

It seems unfortunate to me that this murderer will probably get to live the remainder of his miserable life, albeit in incarcerated, and Laken does not. Watching the reaction of Laken's mother is too reminiscent of when I learned my own son was murdered. I wish the death penalty was not off the table but it is in this case.

Here is the sentence Judge Haggard imposed:

LIFE WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE

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