AP/Hunter
05/20/21
Prosecutors say video and DNA evidence are clear that a farm laborer is responsible for the death of a University of Iowa student; defense attorneys tried to cast suspicion on the victim’s boyfriend.
Day one of the murder trial of Cristhian Bahena Rivera, charged in the death of 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts, began in Davenport Wednesday.
Prosecutors say a homeowner’s surveillance video shows Bahena Rivera’s black Chevy Malibu circling Tibbetts on July 18th, 2018 in her Brooklyn, Iowa hometown. Poweshiek County Attorney Bart Klaver added that blood found in the trunk of that vehicle matches Tibbetts’ DNA.
Defense lawyers tried to cast suspicion on Tibbetts’ boyfriend, Dalton Jack. They claim he had a rocky relationship with her and had cheated on her at least once. He testified that he had nothing to do with Tibbetts’ abduction and stabbing death, saying he was out of town for work and was heartbroken by her death.