UPDATE: Judge announces sentence for Laken Riley’s killer after emotional impact statements in court [Trump responds]

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From the New York Post: Tren de Aragua gang member Jose Ibarra was sentenced to life without parole Wednesday for the vicious murder of promising nursing student Laken Riley in a case that ignited a national firestorm over the Biden administration’s open border policy and coddling of illegal immigrants.

The sentencing was meted out a little more than an hour after Judge Patrick Haggard announced the guilty verdict on all charges on the fourth day of the Athens, Georgia, murder trial after hearing from 29 witnesses called by the prosecution.

Prior to the sentencing, Laken’s family members, friends and former roommates wept as they delivered emotional impact statements, urging the judge to deliver the maximum penalty.

Laken’s grieving mother, Allyson Phillips, said, “She fought for her life in dignity, and to save herself from being brutally raped. This sick, twisted, and evil coward showed no regard for Laken and human life. We’re asking the same be done to him.”

In a heart-wrenching testimony, Laken’s stepfather, John Phillips, read a letter Laken had written to her “future husband.”

Laken’s father, Jason Riley, said he will always be haunted by the fact that he wasn’t able to protect and save his daughter from the brutal killer.

Laken’s younger sister, Lauren Phillips, also wept as she spoke, and said, “Jose Antonio Ibarra has completely ruined my life.”

A number of Laken’s friends and college roommates also delivered emotional statements.

Prosecutors played gut-wrenching video of the moment Laken’s family was informed by police that she had been found dead.

Coverage of all the impact statements and the sentencing is in the video below:

President-elect Donald Trump released the following statement:

“JUSTICE FOR LAKEN RILEY! The Illegal who killed our beloved Laken Riley was just found GUILTY on all counts for his horrific crimes. Although the pain and heartbreak will last forever, hopefully this can help bring some peace and closure to her wonderful family who fought for Justice, and to ensure that other families don’t have to go through what they have. We love you, Laken, and our hearts will always be with you. It is time to secure our Border, and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so nothing like this can happen again!”

Fox News reporter Bill Melugin also weighed in. He wrote:

“Government failed Laken Riley at every step of the way. Her killer was in federal custody after crossing the border illegally, then released. He was released again in sanctuary city NYC after an arrest – ICE not notified. Then NYC gave him a taxpayer funded flight to GA, according to his partner’s testimony. It’s unacceptable at every single level. RIP Laken Riley.”

BREAKING: Judge announces verdict in case of illegal alien accused of killing nursing student Laken Riley

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