The illegal immigrant accused of murdering 20-year-old Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts is requesting that his confession to the killing be thrown out of court on the grounds that he was not properly read his Miranda rights, despite how he led authorities to Tibbetts’ body.
The attorney's for 25-year-old Cristhian Rivera made the request during a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday.
Fox News reports,
At this week’s suppression hearings in Poweshiek County, a judge heard arguments from both sides on whether the confession from Tibbett’s alleged killer, 25-year-old Cristhian Rivera, will be useable in court.
Authorities admit Rivera was not properly given his Miranda rights the first time he was read them during more than 11 hours of questioning last summer. However, investigators said Rivera was correctly read his Miranda rights a second time when he brought police to Tibbetts' body.
Rivera’s attorneys have filed motions to suppress Rivera’s confession and have also implied that detectives used improper tactics during questioning, including not advising him of his right to an attorney and that what he says could be used against him in court.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation denies the allegation that detectives used improper tactics during questioning.
Gruesome details were revealed regarding Tibbett’s murder by the state’s first witness on Wednesday, including how “when Rivera led them to Tibbetts' body in a cornfield on August 21, she was lying on her back in her pink jogging top and black shorts, her legs spread, and her body partially covered with corn leaves and stalks.”
According to Fox News, “The hearings are expected to last two or three days. The judge has weeks to decide how much of Rivera’s alleged confession can be used in the murder trial scheduled for February.”
This story is developing. Stay tuned.