Man charged in stabbing death of Mollie Tibbetts to be arraigned Wednesday

MONTEZUMA - The man charged in the fatal stabbing of Mollie Tibbetts will be arraigned Wednesday in Poweshiek County District Court.

Prosecutors filed the trial information and minutes of testimony last week, which usually indicates a defendant will make a written not guilty plea, but Cristhian Bahena Rivera, 24, may be make a plea in person at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. A trial date also will be set.

Chad Frese, Rivera's lawyer, didn't immediately return a phone message left Monday.

Rivera, charged with first-degree murder, is accused of abducting and killing Tibbetts, who vanished while jogging July 18 in Brooklyn, according to a criminal complaint. 

A preliminary autopsy showed Tibbetts died from 'multiple sharp force injuries,” which indicates she was stabbed with a knife or other sharp object.

Rivera, a native of Mexico, worked at Yarrabee Farms in Brooklyn and had been in illegally living in the area for years, authorities said.

The family who owns Yarrabee Farms previously said Rivera gave them false identification when he was hired as a farmhand. The owners admitted they didn't use the federal E-Verify system to cross-check Rivera's information.

Yarrabee officials declined to provide the false name that Rivera used, but two weeks ago the Associated Press, citing anonymous sources, reported the false name was John Budd.

Rivera's lawyers have asked the court to provide $5,000 to the defense for a Des Moines private investigator at public expense. The investigator is needed to assist lawyers with Rivera's defense, Frese said in the motion. The $5,000 is less than what will likely be needed but it will be an initial stipend.

The request for public funds by the defense is not unusual. Most defendants are granted public funds to aid them in their defense.

A judge granted the public money last week. 

Rivera remains in jail on a $5 million bail.

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