Wednesday Marked The First Day Of Testimony In Bahena-Rivera Murder Trial

The first day of testimony in the murder trial of Cristhian Bahena-Rivera concluded Wednesday in Davenport. Attorney Bart Klaver delivered the opening statements for the prosecution. Bahena-Rivera is charged with murder in the stabbing death of Mollie Tibbetts.

Tibbetts disappeared on July 18 , 2018 while out jogging in Brooklyn, Iowa. She was found 5 weeks later when authorities say Bahena-Rivera led them to her body. Investigators say he admitted to killing her and dumping her body in the cornfield.

Dalton Jack, the boyfriend of Mollie Tibbetts testified Wednesday. He said he was out of town working when she disappeared. He said he received a phone call from one of her co-workers concerned when Mollie didn’t call or show up for work on July 19th.

His brother Blake Jack, also was called as a witness. Tibbetts was living in his house the summer she disappeared. An attorney for Bahena-Rivera asked Blake about alleged problems in the relationship between his brother and Mollie, and about alleged anger issues his brother had. Blake Jack denied those allegations. Dalton Jack testified that he and Mollie were together for three years consecutively before she disappeared.

Matt Simpson is the Sheriff’s Deputy who initially responded in the case. He testified that when he went to Blake Jack’s house there were no signs of any disturbance or struggle.

Arely Nunez-Lorenzana is the cousin of Bahena-Rivera. She testified that she purchased the black Chevy Malibu that he drove. He was seen driving that same vehicle, the night Tibbetts disappeared in the neighborhood she was last seen in.

Testimony in the trial is expected to continue throughout the day on Thursday.