State Senator Colton Moore is calling on Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr to file an emergency motion demanding the death penalty for Jose Ibarra, an illegal immigrant who was found guilty of stalking, raping, and murdering University of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley. The district attorney, Deborah Gonzalez, had previously stated that she would not pursue the death penalty due to “collateral consequences to undocumented defendants.”
Moore argued that Carr should intervene, citing Georgia’s Constitution, but Carr’s office maintains that he does not have the legal authority to do so. Moore expressed concerns about sanctuary cities and the taxpayer cost of housing criminals like Ibarra for life.
During the trial, prosecutors described how Riley fought for her life for 18 minutes before being killed by Ibarra. Moore believes that the evidence clearly points to Ibarra’s guilt and that the crime warrants capital punishment.
In a statement following the verdict, Carr expressed grief over Riley’s death and thanked prosecutors for securing a conviction. Meanwhile, Gonzalez, who lost her re-election bid this month, defended her decision not to seek the death penalty, stating that life without parole is a “seriously appropriate sentence.” Gonzalez’s office emphasized that this decision was supported by Riley’s family.
The case has sparked a debate over capital punishment, immigration, and the role of the attorney general in Georgia. Moore continues to push for the death penalty, while Carr’s office underscores its limited jurisdiction in such matters.
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