Illegal immigrant Jose Ibarra, convicted of brutally murdering nursing student Laken Riley, just won a court-ordered mental evaluation—delaying justice for the victim’s family. A Georgia judge ruled Ibarra should be assessed to determine whether he was fit to stand trial last year, despite already being found guilty and sentenced to life without parole for the February 2024 killing.
Ibarra’s appeal lawyers now claim he suffers from a “congenital deficiency” that left him incapable of understanding the case or participating in his defense. They argue his original trial attorneys never evaluated his mental state before he waived his right to a jury trial. “Lacks the mental capacity to understand the nature and object and proceedings,” the appeal claims read.
Judge Patrick Haggard, who oversaw the original trial, issued the new order for a “prompt evaluation” at public expense, stating, “The mental competence of [Ibarra] has been called into question.” Prosecutor Sheila Ross pushed back, noting no signs of mental incompetence during trial, but did not oppose the evaluation.
Ibarra, a known member of the violent Tren de Aragua gang, entered the U.S. illegally under President Joe Biden’s open border policies. Authorities released him just one day after he crossed at El Paso in September 2022. Months later, he was arrested in New York City before heading to Georgia.
Laken Riley, 22, fought back for 18 minutes before Ibarra bludgeoned her with a rock and asphyxiated her.
