Illegal Immigrant Convicted of Mollie TIbbetts’ Murder Sentenced to Life in Prison

An illegal immigrant was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 2018 murder of Mollie Tibbetts. The 27-year-old received the maximum penalty from Judge Joel D. Yates. The New York Post reports Cristhian Bahena Rivera, who illegally immigrated from Mexico to work on a farm in Iowa, was quiet and emotionless during the sentencing. He was convicted of the murder on May 28.

On July 18, 2018, Tibbetts went missing after going for a jog in Brooklyn, Iowa. Prosecutors said that Rivera led detectives to an open cornfield where Tibbetts’ body was discovered stabbed between seven and twelve times in the chest, neck, and skull after a month-long inquiry. Rivera testified through a translator that two masked individuals came to his trailer the day Tibbetts vanished and forced him to participate in the murder.

According to ABC News, Rivera was supposed to be sentenced in June. Still, Judge Yates agreed to postpone it to schedule a hearing on a motion for a new trial after the defense team alleged prosecutors failed to disclose a sex-trafficking investigation in the area where Tibbetts went missing.

The sentencing delay came just a week after defense attorneys requested a new trial, claiming that witnesses separately informed police about a man who boasted about rapping and murdering the college student and framing Bahena Rivera.

Judge Yates denied the request for a new trial stating, “In reviewing the evidence and testimony provided at trial, the court finds the verdict was not contrary to the weight of the evidence.” Yates also said the family would be paid $150,000 in restitution.

During the sentencing hearing, Mollie Tibbetts’ mother, Laura Calderwood, wrote a victim impact statement that was read by a victim-witness coordinator saying, “I come here today not because I feel the need to address you. I’m here to give a voice to our daughter.” The statement also addressed the impact Rivera’s actions will have on his family, “I do hope one day Paulina has the opportunity to become a mother. But how will she ever explain to her children who their grandfather is? This is the legacy you left behind for your only child Mr. Rivera. I don’t know whose situation is worse,” she wrote.

Rivera’s defense team is expected to file an appeal, according to Iowa Assistant Attorney General Scott Brown and Poweshiek County Attorney Bart Klaver, who prosecuted the case. They have 30 days to file a notice of their intention to appeal with the court.

 

Follow Eric Butler:  Gettr   Instagram

Follow Tatum Report:  Gettr   Instagram   Twitter    Facebook

Join The Discussion

Related Posts
Total
20
Share