'Justice for Laken begins now': Alabama political leaders react to guilty verdict of Laken Riley's killer

Illegal immigrant Jose Ibarra was found guilty of murdering Augusta University student Laken Riley Wednesday, and was sentenced to life in prison.

Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge Patrick Haggard found Ibarra guilty of 10 total counts, including one count of malice murder, three counts of felony murder, one count of kidnapping, one count of aggravated assault with intent to rape, one count of aggravated battery, one count of hindering a 911 call, one count of tampering with evidence and one count of being a “peeping Tom.”

Ibarra, who pleaded not guilty, is from Venezuela and was in the U.S. illegally at the time of the brutal murder.

Alabama’s political leaders reacted to the verdict, blaming the Biden administration’s open border policies allowing this brutal murderer to stay in the country. U.S. Reps. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) and Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) said Riley would still be alive if it weren’t for the border crisis.

Jose Ibarra, the illegal alien who murdered Laken Riley, has just been found guilty on all counts.

If the Biden admin prioritized American lives over protecting illegals, Laken would still be with us today. https://t.co/uLD48NfRIl

— Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) November 20, 2024

Jose Ibarra should have never been in the United States. Biden and Harris’ open border policies allowed this dangerous man into our country and resulted in a young woman tragically losing her life.

Today, justice prevailed.

Praying for Laken Riley’s family during this time. https://t.co/Qunqsm8KwA

— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) November 20, 2024

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) argued that this is another reason it’s time to secure the border.

Our justice system prevailed.

Now we must secure the border immediately and ensure this NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. https://t.co/rUew1FvofY

— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) November 20, 2024

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) praised the verdict and pushed for them to pass the “Laken Riley Act” that she sponsored.

Justice for Laken begins now. This verdict holds her murderer accountable, but it can never restore what was stolen from her family – and it doesn’t fix the mass migration policies & practices that enabled her death. It’s past time for the Senate to consider the Laken Riley Act. https://t.co/c0z44YAAlm

— Senator Katie Boyd Britt (@SenKatieBritt) November 20, 2024

Britt introduced the bill earlier this year that would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting offenses and would mandate that these aliens are detained until they are removed from the United States so they cannot reoffend and commit further crimes.

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee