Georgia Senator Demands Death Penalty for Illegal Immigrant Convicted of Laken Riley’s Murder
Charlie Kirk Staff
11/21/2024

A Georgia state senator is urging Attorney General Chris Carr to take emergency action and demand the death penalty for the man convicted of murdering Laken Riley.
State Sen. Colton Moore called on Carr to intervene after District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez, who oversees the Western Judicial District including Athens, declined to pursue the death penalty. Gonzalez had cited “collateral consequences to undocumented defendants” as a factor in her decision.
The case centers on Jose Ibarra, a 26-year-old illegal immigrant found guilty of stalking, raping, and murdering Riley, a nursing student, during an early morning run on the University of Georgia campus in February. Prosecutors revealed that Riley fought for her life for 18 minutes before succumbing to blunt force trauma when Ibarra used a rock to strike her skull after dragging her off a wooded trail.
“I am officially calling on Attorney General Chris Carr to file an emergency motion to intervene and demand the death penalty for the murderer of Laken Riley,” Moore wrote on X. “District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez let her radical political agenda stand in the way of justice. By refusing to seek the death penalty, she denied Laken’s family, friends, and community the full measure of justice they deserve.”
Moore further implored others to join him in advocating for Carr to seek the death penalty for Ibarra.
When asked about her decision, Gonzalez’s office told Fox News Digital that her stance on sentencing is guided by her general approach to such cases. A spokesperson added, “Life without parole is an appropriately serious sentence and is a decision supported by the family, as heard in the impact statements delivered by Laken Riley’s family and friends during yesterday’s sentencing.”
A representative for Carr’s office stated that the attorney general lacks jurisdiction to intervene in the case. However, Moore argued otherwise, pointing to the Georgia Constitution.
“I can send you a copy of the Constitution of Georgia, section 3, paragraph 4. It clearly states that the attorney general has jurisdiction in any felony case,” Moore said. He also criticized Carr, saying, “He is the chief law enforcement officer of our state. He should have known that the district attorney is one of the most liberal district attorneys in the country, that she wasn’t going to pursue the death penalty. Why even have capital punishment in our state?”
Moore vowed to campaign for a new attorney general in future elections if Carr continues to abstain from action.
In a separate statement, Carr expressed his sorrow over Riley’s death, calling it “gut-wrenching” and emphasizing the bravery Riley showed in fighting for her life. He added that her family’s impact statements were “heartbreaking.”
Gonzalez, who recently lost her re-election bid, transferred the prosecution of Ibarra to Sheila Ross earlier this year.
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