Guilty verdict in murder of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts

Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office

(BROOKLYN, Iowa) — Cristhian Bahena Rivera, accused of murdering University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts as she was jogging has been found guilty by an Iowa jury.

Rivera, 26, was found guilty by the jury of first degree murder for allegedly killing Tibbetts, 20, and hiding her body in a cornfield in the rural town of Brooklyn, Iowa in July 2018.

The jury deliberated for seven hours over Thursday and Friday and all were in agreement with the guilty verdict. In Iowa, the sentence for first degree murder is life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Bahena Rivera’s sentencing will take place at 9:30 a.m. on July 15 in Poweshiek County and he was granted no bond pending sentencing.

“We’re disappointed,” defense attorney Chad Frese said following the verdict. “They certainly came to their decision. We’ll respect their decision. We’re explore our options and go from there.”

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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