Cristhian Bahena Rivera deserves a new trial in the 2018 killing of Iowa college student
Mollie Tibbetts included testimony from law enforcement agents who were in some instances loathe to the fact that the defense was calling their assessments into question.
Bahena Rivera’s attorneys,
Chad Frese and
Jennifer Frese, recently filed motions for a new trial and to arrest a judgment of conviction against the defendant. Bahena Rivera has yet to be sentenced because his defense team says new tips provided to law enforcement toward the conclusion of his trial warrant a reexamination of the case.
Bahena Rivera claimed at trial that he lied to the authorities when he admitted he killed Tibbetts and dumped her body in a corn field. Rather, he testified that two unknown men appeared at his house early one evening and ordered him to drive until they encountered Tibbetts jogging. One of the two men exited his car and presumably killed Tibbetts; that man then returned to his vehicle and
Mollie Tibbetts: Are These the True Killers? Witnesses Name Others as Slain Jogger s Murderers – Crime Online
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Judge Denies Requests For Information On Other Suspects In Cristhian Bahena Rivera Case
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Now, it appears that the case is not as straightforward as it seems. The two sources, Arne Maki and Lyndsey Marie Voss came forward separately and confirmed that Jones was indeed to blame. The revelations have led Judge Joel Yates to hold a hearing on July 27 on the defense s plea for a new trial. In the meantime, here s what we know about the new suspected killers and their alleged role.
Cristhian Bahena Rivera listens during his murder trial. (Law and Crime/YouTube)
Did Jones and Lowe really kill Tibbetts?
According to court documents, Tibbetts wasn t killed in anger by Rivera, but rather because her kidnapping had caused a lot of media attention. Maki claims Jones confessed to him that Tibbetts was kidnapped and taken for sex trafficking. According to Jones, Tibbetts was being held in a trap house owned by Lowe. However, as the case only gained more attention, Lowe decided to kill Tibbetts. Jones agreed to the plan, which involved pinning the murder on a Hispanic man.
Iowa duo deny any involvement in Mollie Tibbetts death
By RYAN J. FOLEY Associated Press July 16, 2021 5:11pm Text size Copy shortlink:
IOWA CITY, Iowa Two childhood friends named by defense lawyers as alternate suspects in the killing of University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts said Friday they had nothing to do with the crime.
Lawyers for Cristhian Bahena Rivera, the man convicted of killing Tibbetts, named Gavin Jones and Dalton Hansen as perhaps responsible for Tibbetts 2018 stabbing death in court filings this week.
They made that assertion after inmate Arne Maki came forward in May to say Jones told him that Jones and Hansen killed Tibbetts after she was kidnapped and briefly held at