Today, the defendant, Jose Ibarra, was arraigned and entered a plea of not guilty in the Laken Riley murder case.
The Western Judicial District Attorney's Office has announced that it will seek life without the possibility of parole for Mr. Ibarra. This decision, reached after careful deliberation with the senior prosecutor and the support of the victim’s family, underscores our unwavering commitment to pursuing justice for the most heinous crimes.
District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez stated, "Our utmost duty is to ensure that justice is served and that the victim’s family is an integral part of the deliberation process. We understand that there will be those outside this office who will disagree with our decision and seek to exploit this case for political gain. However, the integrity of our judicial process and the pursuit of justice must always transcend political considerations."
"Our job is to follow the facts of the case and the law. If Mr. Ibarra is found guilty by a jury trial, he will face life in prison without the possibility of parole. We owe it to Laken and our community to ensure justice is served."
The DA also expressed gratitude to the family and loved ones of Laken Riley for their patience and grace throughout the judicial process.