Venezuelan Man Sentenced to Life for Murder of Nursing Student Amid Immigration Debate

José Ibarra, convicted of murdering Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, concluding a high-profile case that sparked national debate over immigration. The 26-year-old Venezuelan illegal immigrant was found guilty on multiple counts, including malice murder and aggravated assault. Riley’s brutal death during a struggle on campus raised concerns about safety and immigration policies. While Ibarra’s defense claimed insufficient evidence, the judge imposed the maximum sentence, highlighting the family's grief and calls for justice in a case that drew political attention from leaders, including President-elect Trump.