A 26-year-old Venezuelan migrant was found guilty on Wednesday of the murder of Laken Riley, a nursing student from Georgia. The case has frequently been highlighted by President-elect Donald J. Trump as part of his call for mass deportation of undocumented immigrants.

Laken Riley, 22, was attacked in February while jogging on a trail at the University of Georgia in Athens. Authorities arrested Jose Antonio Ibarra, an undocumented migrant, the following day in connection with her death.

Ibarra faced multiple charges, including malice murder and aggravated assault with intent to commit rape. Judge H. Patrick Haggard of the Athens-Clarke County State Superior Court delivered the guilty verdict after a four-day bench trial and sentenced Ibarra to life imprisonment without parole. The judge reached his decision shortly after closing arguments, echoing prosecutors’ claims that the evidence was “overwhelming and compelling.”

At the request of Ibarra’s defense team, the trial was decided by a judge rather than a jury. His lawyers expressed concerns that a local jury might not impartially evaluate the evidence.

Riley’s tragic death has been a focal point for conservative figures who blame the Biden administration’s border policies. During his campaign, Trump referred to Ibarra as a “monster,” while Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia criticized President Biden during a State of the Union address, demanding accountability for the case. On Wednesday, Trump reiterated his stance on social media, declaring, “We love you, Laken. Let’s secure our border to ensure tragedies like this never happen again.”

Prosecutors centered their case on the events of February 22, portraying Ibarra as a predator targeting women and Riley as an unfortunate victim who crossed his path. Evidence presented in court depicted a violent struggle as Riley fought back, leaving scratches on Ibarra’s arms and neck. Prosecutors argued that he dragged her off the trail, strangled her, and struck her with a rock in a brutal attack.

Defense attorneys contended that the evidence was inconclusive and circumstantial, suggesting that Ibarra’s brother, Diego, who shared an apartment with him in Athens, could have been the true perpetrator. They pointed out Diego’s superior height and athleticism, arguing Riley, a strong runner, might have escaped from Ibarra.

Prosecutors used advanced technology, including data from Riley’s smartwatch and cellphone, to reconstruct the timeline of events. Riley’s phone issued a 911 emergency alert during her run, but the line was silent until a man speaking Spanish said, “Yo tengo” (“I have”). By 9:28 a.m., her smartwatch had stopped detecting a heartbeat. Her roommates, using phone location-sharing, aided the search, and her body was discovered by a campus police officer around 12:30 p.m., concealed under leaves near the trail.

Key evidence against Ibarra included his fingerprint on Riley’s phone and footage from a nearby doorbell camera showing a man resembling Ibarra discarding a bloodstained jacket. Defense lawyers argued the evidence could point to Diego, noting the jacket and cellphone were used by multiple people.

Prosecutors highlighted DNA found under Riley’s fingernails as proof of Ibarra’s involvement. They also linked him to a separate “Peeping Tom” incident earlier that day, where he had allegedly loitered outside a woman’s home before heading to the trail.

The case has unsettled Athens and brought national attention to Ibarra’s immigration history. He was apprehended by Border Patrol in 2022 after entering the U.S. near El Paso and released with temporary permission to stay. Ibarra initially moved to New York before relocating to Athens to join his brother. Previous arrests in New York and Georgia added to the controversy surrounding his immigration status.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp stated that the verdict delivered some justice, blaming “open border policies” for Riley’s death and emphasizing community safety as a priority.

In court, Riley’s loved ones expressed their enduring grief. Her mother, Allyson Phillips, tearfully recounted the pain of losing her daughter, stating, “Jose Ibarra showed no mercy to my scared and struggling child. The loss we feel is immeasurable.”