Riley was uncovered lifeless on Feb. 22 in a wooded Component of the College of Georgia campus in Athens, the place she was enrolled during the Augusta University Faculty of Nursing. The 22-calendar year-previous experienced gone for just a run that morning through the university's intramural fields, which was routine for her, as well as a involved friend identified as University of Ga law enforcement at all-around noon at the time Riley did not return.
25 days back I am not a mom but My coronary heart breaks for Laken, her family and her close friends. A real testomony to Laken to possess everyone supporting her spouse and children.
Ahead of saying his verdict, Haggard advised the courtroom that he wrote down two statements within the Lawyers through closing arguments.
Jose Ibarra, 26, was accused of killing the 22-calendar year-previous nursing university student although she was out to get a operate right after prosecutors reported she "refused to get his rape target.
Prosecutor Sheila Ross questioned the judge for the utmost sentence, saying Riley’s family members really should never have to bother with Ibarra remaining released.
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GPS coordinates from Riley's cellphone and smartwatch confirmed her exact locale in the area the place officers identified her human body, and pings between Ibarra's phone and cell towers suggested he was most likely while in the woods, way too, Burnie stated.
Kirby seemed to raise The very fact simply to bring in fair doubt, however the attorney didn’t go as far as to provide an alternate suspect.
Riley’s killing included gasoline towards the nationwide discussion in excess of immigration when federal authorities claimed Ibarra illegally entered the U.
She claimed observing her parents' heartbreak is "excruciating" and he or she won't ever get closure around her sister's murder.
On rebuttal, Ross called the defense's principle "Determined" in addition to a "mischaracterization from the evidence."
In subsequently issuing his sentence on Wednesday, Haggard acknowledged there is usually "no this kind of matter as closure" in an celebration similar to this.
Phillips and also other relations continued to succeed in out to Riley for a number of several hours when she didn't reply.
Haggard listened to impact statements from Riley's family members after looking through The decision. Her parents, sister, roommates and close friends spoke through tears even though they explained Riley being a cheerful, bold and generous younger one that valued her religion and prioritized helping others.