(The Center Square) – Jose Ibarra, a suspected member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and in America illegally since 2022 according to immigration officials, has been found guilty on all counts related to the murder of Laken Riley.
Judge H. Patrick Haggard gave the ruling on Wednesday morning shortly after testimony and closing arguments had closed. Ibarra’s defense attorneys waived the right to a jury trial in opting for a bench trial.
Riley, 22, was a former University of Georgia student who had transferred into the Augusta University nursing program on the Athens campus. Her name became synonymous with immigration campaign points by Republicans in this year’s election cycle.
Prosecutors said, and Haggard agreed, Ibarra killed Riley on the morning of Feb. 22 as she was jogging near her Athens apartment. Haggard said he took two legal pads full of notes during the trial but typically just listened during closing arguments.
The judge offered that he wrote down two things, one by prosecutor Sheila Ross and the other by defense lawyer Kaitlyn Beck.
“One was a statement by Ms. Ross, that the evidence was overwhelming and powerful,” Haggard said. “And then I also wrote down what Ms. Beck said that I am required to set aside my emotions. That’s the same things that we tell jurors.”
The court has recessed to consider when sentencing will take place.
(This is a developing story. Check back for updates.)
