The progressive Georgia district attorney who prosecuted the illegal immigrant killer of nursing student Laken Riley refused to seek the death penalty even after removing himself from the case, and when the defendant was sentenced to life in prison without parole. sparked anger.
Athens-Clarke District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez, who appointed a special prosecutor to take over Jose Ibarra's prosecution at the end of February amid criticism of her own prosecutorial record, said when she took office in January 2021 that she would have a softer approach to crime. He launched reforms. .
According to a copy of the district attorney's policy shared by Georgia Rep. Houston Gaines, Gonzalez said his office “no longer seeks the death penalty” and that when considering prosecuting defendants, it “does not consider undocumented defendants.” “We will take into account the collateral impact on the
Torren de Arangua gang member Ibarra, 26, was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without parole after being found guilty of murdering a 22-year-old university student. His sentence infuriated many Republicans, including Mr. Gaines, who believed the killer should receive the death penalty.
Gonzalez announced this spring that he would not seek the death penalty against Ybarra, saying, “Our greatest obligation is to ensure that justice is served and that the victims' families are an integral part of the deliberation process.” said.
She also acknowledged that while critics will try to “use this case for political gain,” legal decisions must “always transcend political considerations.” According to WRDW.
This decision appears to be in line with what Gonzalez told his staff in 2021.
“Cases that are legally subject to the death penalty carry a sentence of life in prison without parole and life in prison with eligibility for parole after serving 30 years,” she wrote.
“Both of these sentences represent very severe punishments. The decision to seek a life sentence without parole is tantamount to a death sentence in prison.”
She also reportedly said she would consider the “collateral effects on defendants of being in the country illegally” when making charging decisions.
Republican lawmakers were furious that Mr. Ybarra would not receive the death penalty.
“If ever there was a case where the death penalty was appropriate, this is it.'' Gaines tweeted Wednesday.
Meanwhile, state Sen. Colton Moore asked the state attorney general to intervene.
“I formally request Attorney General Chris Carr to file an emergency motion seeking intervention and the death penalty for the murderer of Laken Riley.” he tweeted.
“District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez has let her radical political agenda get in the way of justice. By refusing to seek the death penalty, she is denying Laken's family, friends, and community the full justice they deserve. That’s what I did.”
Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene also weighed in.
“Jose Ibarra deserves the death penalty,” she tweeted. “As Laken's mother Alison asked the judge, Laken's evil (murderer) deserves exactly what he gave Laken.”
Gonzalez lost his re-election bid this month by a 20 percentage point margin.
