GUILTY GA - University of Georgia Laken Hope Riley, 22, found dead near University of Georgia intramural fields, foul play suspected, 22 Feb 2024

[Leilei]

Judge is prepared to sentence, but is recessing until 12:30pm.
Crying in the courtroom :'(
IMO.

 

[Tealgrove]

Well that didn’t take long. Didn’t think it would.

She fought so hard.

Another useless piece of skin that snuffed out a bright light.

MOO

 

[StarryStarryNight]

I still cannot understand why this case was not plead out. He was soooo guilty per every piece of evidence.

 

[Dotta]

YES!!!

"Laken Riley killer
Jose Ibarra
found guilty of murder.'

Laken Riley's killer learns his fate after being found guilty

The undocumented Venezuelan migrant, 26, had pleaded not guilty to the 22-year-old nursing's students February, 2023, murder near the University of Georgia.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[ChatteringBirds]

I still cannot understand why this case was not plead out. He was soooo guilty per every piece of evidence.

She deserves any justice possible, not him getting a plea deal.

 

[Megnut]

She deserves any justice possible, not him getting a plea deal.

Not the OP but not a plea deal. A guilty plea.

Overwhelming evidence against him.

Hoping the judge throws the book at him.

JMO

 

[Deleted member 296739]

Not the OP but not a plea deal. A guilty plea.

Overwhelming evidence against him.

Hoping the judge throws the book at him.

JMO

I can’t remember, is this DP case?

 

[Miss Magnolia]

I rarely post but have been a member here for a number of years.
The Judge absolutely got it right in my opinion.
I don't think this guy from Venezuela had a clue about the advanced forensic technology that is available here.
He took a life, now he will suffer the consequences.
I cannot fathom how incredibly painful it has been for her family to go through the trial. A guilty verdict is justified but it won't bring this beautiful young woman back to her family.
She wanted to be a nurse. She had so much to give to the world.

 

[Unalienable Rights]

Her mom is now giving impact statement. That takes a lot of courage. Heartbreaking.

 

[Sheila Terranova]

I don’t have a link to the 911 call but I can tell you that Laken Riley does not say anything. It is a short audio with sounds similar to a scuffle going on.

Thank you

 

[Sheila Terranova]

I still cannot understand why this case was not plead out. He was soooo guilty per every piece of evidence.

Maybe the prosecutor didn’t offer a plea deal?

 

[Irmese]

Guilty on all counts. Yes.

 

[Irmese]

Maybe the prosecutor didn’t offer a plea deal?

I think because although the evidence is strong, it is circumstantial, dp wasn't on the table from the start.

 

[PrairieWind]

I still cannot understand why this case was not plead out. He was soooo guilty per every piece of evidence.

It was not a death penalty case, so the only sentence is life in prison. I don't think there was any offer of anything else. So there just was no disincentive to the Defendant to proceed to trial. I think the Defense attorney advised him of the situation and left it up to him to decide. At least they waived jury trial. But there was just no where for the defense to go here.
It was refreshing to see a murder case go to trial so quickly. That is certainly not the norm.

 

[Justice101]

So terrifying to see that he was "hunting for a victim" that morning.

This will not bring Laken back but at least the families knows this will never happen again with this particular criminal.

 

[Kaley Smith]

Predators often target female joggers running alone. When I was in my 30's, I would run alone in the early morning in a park on a trail alongside a river. I would never do that nowadays as I've heard far too many cases of joggers who became victims. Some manage to break away, but many don't. Here is some advice for women who run alone, although sad to say, I think women need to avoid this risky activity entirely. Running while female: Women share how they stay safe

 

[CHEL]

This is the saddest trial I have ever watched.

 

[CHEL]

This is the saddest trial I have ever watched.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1859304728183877783

 

[Megnut]

The judge: no such thing as closure, it can be an effort to breathe...

He acknowledges that a sentence won't help with that.

LWOP, plus life, plus 20, plus 12 months, plus 12 months, plus 5 years consecutive

 

[Irmese]

Two Life terms, consecutive. Plus more.