IA - Mollie Tibbetts, 20, Poweshiek County, 19 Jul 2018 *Arrest* #39

[rebel123]

What do you mean?

Mollie was abducted while jogging. The suspect was lying in wait for her to arrive at the less-populated section of her running route so he could harm her. She was forcibly taken from the street and put into the suspect's vehicle. She was stabbed multiple times and left in a corn field.

I don't see any room for falling over and spraining an ankle.

A lot of things might or might not of happened; because CR says he doesn't remember what happened leaves a lot of possibilities; even the possibility of what you suggest.

 

[Quill]

You are,of course, correct. However, she did not do her time at Parchman, another fine southern prison plantation/farm. However, her husband is at Parchman, for the same murder, and will be for the rest of his life!

I would love to see CR have to do his time at Parchman or a place like it.

 

[MsBetsy]

I keep going back to wondering if he even knows the difference between “block out” and “blackout”. It all sounds so forced and fake that part of the story. We have that LE told us part of what he said. But at this point, I still don’t trust a thing he says.

I believe that what he said was this " I blacked out." When LE made the statement " He blocked it out," that is just the way he pronounced it. As someone said the short a in Spanish is pronounced " ah" like el gato. Or block. Many times, especially with the younger generation, they add an extra ed to a word ending in ed. For example, the word asked is pronounced, " ask ded " so blacked would be pronounce "blackded " I have heard this over and over. It sounds weird to us ( that's why I always notice it.) So " He blocked it out", is Rivera saying, " I blahck ted out. In other words , " I blacked out". It would be so much easier to say than write, but that's the best I can do. I hear it ALL the time. It may not be the case, but it sure would help clear things up if it is.

 

[cluciano63]

Motive does not matter. Mitigation won’t matter in this case, as the DP is not a factor. The defense has to try their best, but,kdnapping/murder is kidnapping/murder, any way you look at it. He is alleged to have done both and by pointing out the location of her body, all ships have sailed.

 

[ChuckMaureen]

It wouldn’t matter, as conviction doesn’t require that the motive ever be proven. Otherwise few homicide prosecutions would be successful - the perp shuts up, victim is no longer alive, who’s there to know ‘why’?

Even if Rivera claimed that, robbery is no go free card for murder as his possession and subsequent use of the weapon “multiple times” can (hopefully) be interpreted by a jury as homicidal intent.

I wasn't going for finding a motive. I was going for how extra senseless it would have been if CR initially intended only to steal MT's phone, much less murder her (for whatever reason).

 

[feralwriter]

As sick as it sounds (and is), there is an urge in some people to commit acts of violence for sexual satisfaction. The act of killing is pleasurable, and serves as a release.

None of us will ever fully understand it, because we can't relate to the idea that hurting someone, can bring fulfillment. It takes a person devoid of empathy, and human connection, to commit a crime like this, and commit it without remorse.

These monsters have existed since the beginning of humanity, and they will continue to exist, and walk amongst us. Its a sad reality, and one that we can only hope to contain.

If it's something that's gone haywire in the brain, maybe it's fixable. I'm NOT saying it is, or that it's fixable. But I do know the whole nature/nurture debate has gone on forever. As far as I can tell, whatever's gone wrong in the brain, the actions make it a character disorder. The person is doing the actions. Yes, of course men raised in horrific abusive conditions don't most of the time go on to do heinous things. From what I've read, psychopaths have something different to the brain than the rest of us. What that is, do your own research if anyone's curious. Maybe in 1000 years if we're still standing as a species scientists might get to the bottom of it. Yeah, probably not, but research, for what it's worth, is going on right now. moomoomoo

 

[Al Hoffman]

But I thought it said that it would have to contribute to the cause of death in order to apply? Or is that what you ARE saying?

No, under the felony murder rule, the lesser crime has to be part of the greater crime, but does not have to contribute directly to the death. This as in CR raped MT then killed her; no matter if he inadvertantly or accidentally killed her (as in she tried to run away, fell down, and hit her head and died as a result), what would normally be manslaughter is now Murder One (20 years or less vs. Life w/o parole). Or, if CR kidnapped MT and she died of carbon monoxide poisoning in the trunk, same thing. Or if you drive the get away car and your partner is killed by the storekeeper he tried to rob, you're guilty of Murder One; or if your accomplace killed a police officer you too are guilty of Capitol Murder (Murder One).

 

[ChuckMaureen]

I don't think it was her phone he was attracted to. What good does it do to steal a phone now days? You call your service provider and they deactivate the phone. I'm sure she would have gladly given him her phone, if that's all he wanted, just so he would go away---- and not fought with him about it.

I don't believe CR was after her phone, I only toss that idea in to the ring to be complete. Here on Websleuths, we attempt to think of all possibilities and then discuss.

 

[Jaclin]

Life without parole is just that, unless a new trial is granted for some reason (which would end in the same result). Not too long ago, a life sentence (with parole) for murder in states like Oregon and Washington, meant that killers were getting out after 13 years. Fortunately our justice system has gotten stricter over the years.

I am disgusted that "life" doesn't mean life. When people take someone's life, and not by accident or self-defense, they deserve to lose theirs as they know it. They should never be free to have families and get an education. They should be looking at stone walls for the rest of their life. No books. No color. No tv. No recess. Just boredom and reflection until they die.

 

[cluciano63]

Not speaking of this case, I do not understand the reason/s to kill a person? I just do not understand why if there is a SA why kill, take the life of the person that was assaulted? It’s like my thoughts can not accept this finality to any life. It has to be intentional, we are not savage animals, to end another persons life is murder and the person who does kill knows that they did kill another human being.
It’s not an accident to kill when you just intended to assault, oh sorry I just wanted to SA this person and well there was a struggle and so I was what???and then well the person died. It is intentional and to kill to cover up, to avoid apprehension, to hide is absolutle cowardice. It shocks me to see the person in court hearings, I can’t believe this person I see killed another person or persons. It never had to happen is all I am thinking, it was not a life for them to take. But they did and now since caught they spin tales of deceit and lies. I pray for justice!

Usually, the murder following a rape is simply to eliminate the witness. Especially in this case, when Mollie likely could have identified him. Jmo she had no chance once he decided.

OT, I am not much for the fighter/non-fighter aspect; we mostly think of'ourselves as fighters yet circumstances alone determine who gets to fight back and who doesn’t. And some women have chosen not to fight in hopes of saving their lives. We can’t/shouldn’t classify victims, imo...

 

[scarlettbones]

I believe that what he said was this " I blacked out." When LE made the statement " He blocked it out," that is just the way he pronounced it. As someone said the short a in Spanish is pronounced " ah" like el gato. Or block. Many times, especially with the younger generation, they add an extra ed to a word ending in ed. For example, the word asked is pronounced, " ask ded " so blacked would be pronounce "blackded " I have heard this over and over. It sounds weird to us ( that's why I always notice it.) So " He blocked it out", is Rivera saying, " I blahck ted out. In other words , " I blacked out". It would be so much easier to say than write, but that's the best I can do. I hear it ALL the time. It may not be the case, but it sure woukd help clear things up if it is.

I'm not sure about this in regards to CR. The affidavit says "...he then 'blocked' his 'memory' which is what he does when he gets very upset..".

It sounds like it has happened before and he knows how to describe it.

Edited to add: not that I am 100% on his ability to block out his own memory, maybe he puts up a wall on the bad stuff he does, maybe not, just clarifying what the affidavit says.

Also, its common for men who abuse to claim they don't remember what happened, that it wasn't really them that did it, it could be that's what he claims when he has rages/gets mad, MOO.

 

[flashy09]

At 2.05 is that a black Chevy Malibu?

 

[whiskers]

Will any Hispanic women come forward to tell if he abused them? One of the biggest reasons women in Mexico flee their homes is domestic violence and sexual abuse.
What I learned in Mexico about violence against women that everyone should know

I feel they will be much more tight lipped, including his ex. I’m not sure how we can gloss over his background and where he was raised, and his possible outlook towards women. Just because someone magically appears in the United States doesn’t mean they absorb or abide how to treat other humans - specifically women.

Edit: And this isn’t to say all born here American males always know how to treat women either. But I think it’s remiss not to acknowledge where he was mostly raised often treats many women as sub humans.

 

[MsBetsy]

Sounds like its the posters opinion to me.

LE may have more than we think. JMO

It's not opinion if you consider the body was there for 33 days. It would be in the final stages of decomposition. But of course, we are all hoping they find something, even the slightest piece of evidence, to show what he did and what a horrible person he is.

 

[MassGuy]

It's not opinion if you consider the body was there for 33 days. It would be in the final stages of decomposition. But of course, we are all hoping they find something, even the slightest piece of evidence, to show what he did and what a horrible person he is.

Exactly. Time and it’s correlation to decomposition, is not your friend. It’s an opinion based on that fact.

 

[Jaclin]

I don't believe CR was after her phone, I only toss that idea in to the ring to be complete. Here on Websleuths, we attempt to think of all possibilities and then discuss.

Regarding service providers deactivating the phone in the case it is stolen, I don't think he was after the phone either, but what if the phone was unlocked? Then, would just contacting the service provider prevent someone from slipping in a SIM from another provider and using the phone, perhaps in Mexico?

 

[rebel123]

CR is reported (in the arrest warrant affidavit) to have said he "blocked out". That sounds more like a willful act, and less like a psych or physiological event. So NO, BS if his attorney tries for a diminished capacity defence. Even if it was a "red out" on CR's part, he still premeditated and showed specific intent by stalking her in his car, and approaching her (by his own admission) putting himself in a position to kidnap (felony murder rule) and/or kill her before his convenient "block out". He told LE that he has previously had these block outs when he gets angry. So, why did he put himself in a position to cause immediate and lethal harm, in a situation that a reasonable and prudent man would recognize as having the potential to bring on a "block out". For CR, this is no different than DUI, but he was "stalking while angry". CR is guilty of premeditation and intent before he pointed and launched his leathal self at MT. At that point he is as guilty of Murder One of MT, as if he had unleashed a pack of dogs on her. He tracked her down with malice aforethought, slipped his leash, and killed her. He is guilty, will be found as such and go to jail for the rest of his life!

When he approached Mollie, CR didn't know what Mollie was going to say or do; he didn't know what she said was going to make him angry / 'black out'. But yes he did place himself in that location.

 

[RANCH]

Motive does not matter. Mitigation won’t matter in this case, as the DP is not a factor. The defense has to try their best, but,kdnapping/murder is kidnapping/murder, any way you look at it. He is alleged to have done both and by pointing out the location of her body, all ships have sailed.

I wish I could be as certain of the outcome as you seem to be.

There is always uncertainty with jury's. I found that out in the trial of Casey Anthony. So much evidence pointed towards her guilt that I was certain that the jury would come back with a guilty verdict.

What I thought was an obvious outcome didn't happen.

While I don't think something similar will happen in this case, there is the possibility that the defendant is not found guilty of first degree murder but of lesser charges. JMO.

 

[MsBetsy]

Agreed. Trying to rationalize an irrational act is hard for those who are rational thinkers IMO. I would be scared if I understood as a layperson why killers do what they do. JMO

It would definitely take you to a place you don't want to go.

 

[MistyWaters]

As sick as it sounds (and is), there is an urge in some people to commit acts of violence for sexual satisfaction. The act of killing is pleasurable, and serves as a release.

None of us will ever fully understand it, because we can't relate to the idea that hurting someone, can bring fulfillment. It takes a person devoid of empathy, and human connection, to commit a crime like this, and commit it without remorse.

These monsters have existed since the beginning of humanity, and they will continue to exist, and walk amongst us. Its a sad reality, and one that we can only hope to contain.

I was just thinking of years ago, about the topic of lone females hitchhiking. How eventually, after numerous cases of predators who murdered and raped or victims not ever found, hitchhiking became recognized as an extremely unsafe practise.

Now it seems a similar type of risk is focused on lone female joggers.