A judge in Georgia has approved a court-ordered mental evaluation for José Ibarra, the undocumented immigrant found guilty of the heinous murder of nursing student Laken Riley in 2024. This decision, made by Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard, allows Ibarra’s legal representatives to explore the possibility of a retrial or an appeal, arguing that he was mentally incompetent at the time of both the crime and the trial.
Ibarra, aged 27, was convicted in November 2024 on multiple charges, including malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping, and aggravated assault with intent to commit rape, after he assaulted Riley while she was jogging near Lake Herrick on the University of Georgia campus. The case drew national attention not only for the gruesome nature of the crime but also because Ibarra had illegally entered the United States from Venezuela just two years prior.
Judge Haggard, who oversaw the initial bench trial, sentenced Ibarra to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. However, in June 2025, Ibarra’s new appellate lawyers submitted a motion claiming that he suffers from congenital mental deficiencies that may have affected his understanding of the legal process and his ability to aid in his own defense.
They also raised concerns regarding his choice to waive a jury trial, suggesting that this decision may not have been made with full awareness or rationality. While the prosecution firmly asserted that there were no indications of incompetence during the trial, lead prosecutor Sheila Ross did not formally contest the defense’s request.
She acknowledged the gravity of the claims but insisted that the substantial forensic, digital, and eyewitness evidence left no doubt regarding Ibarra’s guilt.
The judge’s ruling to authorize the evaluation—issued merely days prior to the Fourth of July holiday—represents a “significant victory” in their attempt to contest the conviction. The evaluation will be carried out at public expense, either within a state correctional facility or a medical institution sanctioned by the court. It will examine Ibarra’s present mental condition as well as his competency during the trial period.
Court documents indicate that the evaluation will determine whether Ibarra was “able to comprehend the nature and purpose of pretrial proceedings” at the moment he opted to forgo a jury trial in favor of a bench trial. Additionally, it will assess whether he can understand the specifics of his appeal and effectively collaborate with his legal representatives.
The order did not indicate when the evaluation is expected to be finalized.
For Riley’s family and supporters, this ruling constitutes yet another distressing chapter in what has already been a harrowing experience. Riley, aged 22, was characterized as a bright and empathetic nursing student with aspirations of working in pediatric care. The circumstances surrounding her death were appalling: she was discovered beaten and strangled, with signs of a violent struggle. Ibarra’s DNA was located beneath her fingernails, his fingerprint was found on her phone, and his smartwatch placed him at the scene of the crime.
Although the judge’s ruling does not assure a retrial, it suggests that the court is at least receptive to the notion that Ibarra’s mental capacity may have influenced critical legal decisions. Should the evaluation conclude that he was incompetent at the time of the trial, his appeal team is anticipated to submit motions aimed at overturning the conviction or obtaining a completely new trial.
At present, Ibarra remains incarcerated, serving a life sentence.