Laken Riley’s family delivered passionate victim impact statements in the Athens, Georgia, courtroom where gang member Jose Ibarra was found guilty of her murder about an hour earlier.
“Jose Ibarra took no pity on my scared, panicked and struggling child,” said her mother, Allyson Phillips, her voice catching in her throat.
“There is no end to the pain, suffering and loss. On that horrific day, my precious daughter was attacked, beaten and shown no mercy,” she said.
“She fought for her life in dignity, and to save herself from being brutally raped. This sick, twisted, and evil coward showed no regard for Laken and human life. We’re asking the same be done to him,” she said, raising her voice at times.
She remembered her daughter as a “kind and thoughtful child of God” who was active in her community.
The tearful mother called Ibarra a “monster” who took away her “best friend,” while sobbing.
“He ripped away every beautiful memory we will be able to make with her again. This horrific individual robbed us of all our hopes and dreams for Laken,” she said before addressing the judge.
“Your honor, I’m asking you to give Jose Ibarra the same thing he gave us when he … showed no mercy when she was begging for her life. Give this monster life without parole so that he never has the chance to hurt anyone else ever again.”