Judge Denies Convicted Killer's Request for New Trial in Laken Riley Murder Case

The judge cited 'overwhelming and powerful' evidence against Jose Ibarra, who was found guilty of killing the 22-year-old woman in 2024.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 7:35pm

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A Georgia judge has denied the request for a new trial from Jose Ibarra, who was convicted of killing 22-year-old Laken Riley in 2024. The judge, H. Patrick Haggard, rejected the defense's arguments, stating that the evidence presented at the initial trial was 'overwhelming and powerful' and that Ibarra's rights were not violated.

Why it matters

This case garnered significant attention in the local community due to the brutal nature of the crime and the fact that the perpetrator, Jose Ibarra, was an undocumented immigrant. The judge's decision to deny the new trial request upholds the initial conviction and sends a strong message about the strength of the evidence against Ibarra.

The details

Ibarra, a Venezuelan national who entered the U.S. illegally, was found guilty on ten charges, including felony murder, malice murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape, and 'peeping Tom.' The defense had argued that Ibarra's rights were violated when the court denied a request for a delay to allow experts more time to review DNA evidence, and they also challenged the seizure of two cellphones. However, the judge rejected these arguments, stating that the defense had effectively challenged the DNA evidence at trial and that the cellphone seizure was justified due to exigent circumstances.

  • In February 2024, Ibarra attacked and killed 22-year-old Laken Riley while she was jogging in Athens, Georgia.
  • In 2024, Ibarra was found guilty on ten charges related to Riley's murder.
  • On March 11, 2026, the judge denied Ibarra's request for a new trial.

The players

Jose Ibarra

A Venezuelan national who entered the U.S. illegally and was convicted of killing 22-year-old Laken Riley in 2024.

Laken Hope Riley

A 22-year-old woman who was killed by Jose Ibarra while jogging in Athens, Georgia in 2024.

H. Patrick Haggard

The Clarke County Superior Court judge who denied Ibarra's request for a new trial, citing 'overwhelming and powerful' evidence against him.

Sheila Ross

The prosecutor who argued during Ibarra's initial trial that 'when Laken Riley refused to be his rape victim, he bashed her skull in with a rock repeatedly.'

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What they’re saying

“When Laken Riley refused to be his rape victim, he bashed her skull in with a rock repeatedly. She fought for her life, for her dignity.”

— Sheila Ross, Prosecutor

What’s next

Ibarra's defense team reportedly plans to appeal the judge's ruling denying the request for a new trial.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges faced by the criminal justice system in dealing with violent crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, as well as the importance of strong evidence in upholding convictions, even when the defense argues that errors were made during the initial trial.