Laken Riley’s heartbreaking story doesn’t seem to be quite over yet. Laken’s killer, Jose Ibarra, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, and you would think that would be the end of it. But a Georgia state senator, Republican Colton Moore, is calling on the Georgia attorney general to intervene and are calling for the death penalty for Ibarra:
Jose Ibarra, a 26-year-old illegal immigrant who received taxpayer-funded flights, was found guilty Wednesday of stalking, raping and murdering Riley in February. The nursing student, who was walking on the University of Georgia campus early that morning, fought her attacker for about 18 minutes but died from blunt force trauma. According to prosecutors, Ibarra hit her skull with a rock after dragging her off a forest path.
“I am formally calling on Attorney General Chris Carr to file an emergency motion to intervene and seek the death penalty for the murderer of Laken Riley,” Republican Sen. Colton Moore wrote on X. “District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez let her.” By refusing, By seeking the death penalty, she denied Laken’s family, friends and community the full measure of justice they deserve.
I am formally calling on Attorney General Chris Carr to file an emergency motion to intervene and seek the death penalty for Laken Riley’s murderer.
District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez let her radical political agenda get in the way of justice. By refusing to look for the…
– Sen. Colton Moore (@realColtonMoore) November 20, 2024
The X post ends with:
Join me in calling on Attorney General Chris Carr to seek the death penalty for Jose Ibarra.
There appears to be enough evidence to rule out the risk of the wrong man being executed. Ibarra’s DNA was found under Laken Riley’s fingernails and Ibarra had scratches on his neck that appeared to have come from Laken’s fingernails as she fought her attacker. The issue of the death penalty then becomes a trial in the state of Georgia.
Previously on RedState: Laken Riley’s family and friends make heartbreaking impact statements; Judge sentences Jose Ibarra
Riley Gaines asks if Democrats will kneel for Laken Riley now
Heartbreaking: Trump’s border czar gets emotional as he speaks about Laken Riley, victim of violent illegality
The attorney general’s office claims she has no authority to intervene, Fox News Digital reported (linked above):
A spokesman for Carr’s office claimed the attorney general lacked jurisdiction and therefore could not intervene, but Moore argued otherwise.
“I can send you a copy of it Constitution of GeorgiaSection 3, paragraph 4. It clearly states that the attorney general has jurisdiction over every felony case,” Moore told Fox News Digital. “And the state, I mean the attorney general’s office, has already intervened in cases.” You know, he’s the top law enforcement official in our state. He should have known that the prosecutor was one of the most liberal prosecutors in the country and that she would not seek the death penalty. Why does our state even have the death penalty?”
An emotional reaction to a crime of this kind can hardly be ruled out. Still, this appears to be a case that would justify the extreme punishment in a state that offers the death penalty as an option. The evidence against the murderer was tough and compelling, and the nature of the crime, a brutal, unprovoked attack on an innocent adolescent woman, appears to warrant the death penalty.
But there’s another factor to consider: Laken Riley’s family. With the sentencing, they finally had closure and can now try to get back to their lives. A death sentence trial, with all the hearings and appeals that come with it, would only bring her back to the memories of that terrible day. Is it crueler to subject Laken Riley’s family to these constant reminders of their loss than to move on knowing Jose Ibarra is incarcerated for life with no hope of parole?
Jose Ibarra will never breathe free air again. He will spend the rest of his life looking at prison bars the wrong way. That, too, is an appropriate punishment – and accepting this punishment will allow Laken Riley’s family and friends to move on for months and years without the case being shoved in their faces again and again.
