IA - Mollie Tibbetts, 20, Poweshiek County, 19 Jul 2018 *Arrest* #42

[jillycat]

Im not sure anyone is giving him the benefit of the doubt, unless you are referring to making excuses that this was just a scared, lost individual who just suddenly snapped. I don't believe this is the case and certainly does not excuse his behavior in any way even if it was. Chasing her down is definitely not reflective of his desire to date her, I wouldn't even say maybe. I feel he acted deliberately, and people are just trying to put the pieces of the crime together by gaining a better understanding of the kind of killer he is. That is exactly what investigators do. Imo, I don't think there is anyone who is trying to make excuses for his behavior in any way at all!

The benefit of the doubt, to me, lies in considering his POV and feelings, with the example of a previous remark re: his/one's lifestyle being potentially threatened (in his case by his victim reacting negatively to being preyed on). We could also call it a sympathetic consideration.

I just don't think it makes sense that someone who lives with a daily fear that life as he knew it could end would work so hard to make that happen by risking exposure of not a nickname, but apparently an altogether false identity for 7 years, and then solving that crisis with murder.

Whatever the case, I think her sense of being threatened trumps his. So once he started seeking her out and following her, I don't really care how he felt. And I think he's the type of killer that has/had so little conscience that he really didn't concern himself much beyond dusting himself off and going to work the next day. For 5 weeks.

 

[Al Hoffman]

Im not sure anyone is giving him the benefit of the doubt, unless you are referring to making excuses that this was just a scared, lost individual who just suddenly snapped. I don't believe this is the case and certainly does not excuse his behavior in any way even if it was. Chasing her down is definitely not reflective of his desire to date her, I wouldn't even say maybe. I feel he acted deliberately, and people are just trying to put the pieces of the crime together by gaining a better understanding of the kind of killer he is. That is exactly what investigators do. Imo, I don't think there is anyone who is trying to make excuses for his behavior in any way at all!

I don't think that it is so much giving CR the benefit of the doubt, as it is attempting to come to know the Beast, and understand why he did the deed. This may be an exercise in futility, in trying to find rational answers to what was an irrational act.

 

[SharonNeedles]

Before CR was arrested; there was a whole lot of finger pointing at WC, whose actually got convictions for 'stalking'. Jumping the gun isn't great; justice must run it's course.

Not just WC, and not just WebSlueths (Facebook was far, far worse). The accusations were just sick, even MT’s an DJ’s family weren’t immune. There are some sick people out there with twisted imaginations.

 

[Bravo]

Did MT typically run with or against traffic? Running with traffic with ear buds would leave her unaware of a car approaching from behind her, hence the element of surprise. Running against traffic you see cars coming and can be aware and prepared if the car stops or swerves

Welcome

 

[wary]

I agree with you on this. I respect differing opinions, but for those who think he had been scoping her out for days or weeks or longer, and knew all of her routes, so knew where to go to snatch her, I would ask this...if he had been following her and knew the route she was running, wouldn't it be far more sensible, and less risky, to hide the car and wait for her back at the house that he surely must have known she was staying at? Not to be graphically disgusting, but surely it would have been more comfortable to do whatever he desired with Mollie at the house, as opposed to the side of the road, the back seat of a car, or a cornfield. And if he had been stalking her, he probably would have known that she was alone. I have never seen any real evidence of anything he did that night being planned, and most certainly not planned well or in advance. I think he stumbled upon her, and yes, maybe he had seen her before and been fixated on her, and had thoughts of what he would love to do if the opportunity arose, but I still think he didn't know the opportunity would be there until it was. All JMO, MOO and IMO.

I'm not sure about the 'safety' of his hiding the car and attacking her at the house. For one thing, just how do you hide a car in this sort of a small town where everybody probably knows what the usual cars parked on the street are? That's one reason that I never believed that she'd been attacked at the house. And the farther away you park, the more chance that someone will see you walking to your destination, or that a camera will pick you up. And since the house will be an obvious crime scene, the police will not be holding back in asking people if they saw anything unusual--anywhere near it.

However, I agree that there's no evidence or reason to believe that he had been 'stalking' Mollie for any longer than a few minutes, that evening.

 

[CuriousCricket]

If nothing else it shows a persistent pattern of behaviour, of passing by a woman several times, near dusk.

But dusk was the only time he had. At work before day break, into Casey's every couple of days.

I'm wondering . . . . 30-some years ago, I had a guy friend who went to the mall to "girl watch." Was that unhealthy? was that stalker behavior? or was that sorta par for the course, back in the good ol' days . . . could you ever "girl watch" or "boy watch" and it have been ok?

 

[rebel123]

Not just WC, and not just WebSlueths (Facebook was far, far worse). The accusations were just sick, even MT’s an DJ’s family weren’t immune. There are some sick people out there with twisted imaginations.

That is the internet for you; it can do a lot of good; but equally it can be harmful; I like to think that there is a lot more good then bad. There are loads of smart people here; smart is the best way to be.

 

[MsBetsy]

The typically won’t unless there is an actual threat as it should be....imagine like you said everyone reporting legitimate, multiple attempts to date someone. Unless it escalated to some sort of perceived danger most people will not report. IMO this is exactly the reason he has no history of “perceived threat” previously. He didn’t escalate to that level until that day IMO. And we will likely never know the reason why that day made the difference for him.

Very true. Just as an example, at my child's school a 7th grader was being bullied horribly by other students on line. There were threats like, watch your back, come to school tomorrow and you will die! Today's the day! You should just kill yourself! When I called the principal about it, he informed me that the police could do nothing about it unless it involved a specific threat, describing how , where and when. For example, " On Tuesday September 5th, I am going to bring a knife to school and stab you in the bathroom after lunch." So that's what made me think why the girls who said Rivera scared them, or whatever it was, wouldn't bother reporting it!

 

[SteveP]

I'm not sure about the 'safety' of his hiding the car and attacking her at the house. For one thing, just how do you hide a car in this sort of a small town where everybody probably knows what the usual cars parked on the street are? That's one reason that I never believed that she'd been attacked at the house. And the farther away you park, the more chance that someone will see you walking to your destination, or that a camera will pick you up. And since the house will be an obvious crime scene, the police will not be holding back in asking people if they saw anything unusual--anywhere near it.

However, I agree that there's no evidence or reason to believe that he had been 'stalking' Mollie for any longer than a few minutes, that evening.

IIRC, there is no house to one side of the house Mollie was staying in. I believe they were the first house after the dirt turned to pavement in the video Sharon Needles did. And on the other side of them sits the electric co-op, the one with the non-working camera. Seems he could have parked there unnoticed perhaps. JMO

 

[SharonNeedles]

I’m sure this will be unpopular but he could be telling a good amount of the truth. I remember a case (can’t remember details) of someone seeing a woman working in the yard and someone drove by and “wanted” her. He killed her husband and tried to SA and kill her. Who would think that was it but that’s all it was. I always say the “unhinged aren’t that unhinged until the stitches unravel”. JMO

It would appear that he offered a quick confession and led them right to the body. From the very limited info the arrest affidavit has provided us it’s quite possible that he isn’t denying or lying about anything. After reconsidering that I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he pleads guilty and accepts his punishment.

 

[Jeng1810]

Very true. Just as an example, at my child's school a 7th grader was being bullied horribly by other students on line. There were threats like, watch your back, come to school tomorrow and you will die! Today's the day! You should just kill yourself! When I called the principal about it, he informed me that the police could do nothing about it unless it involved a specific threat, describing how , where and when. For example, " On Tuesday September 5th, I am going to bring a knife to school and stab you in the bathroom." So thats what made me think why the girls who said Rivera scared them, or whatever it was, wouldn't bother reporting it!

I’m sorry that happened. I can relate. Since they rarely take a report if I see something odd I FB message them. At least then they have the info if something comes up later.

 

[Jeng1810]

It would appear that he offered a quick confession and led them right to the body. From the very limited info the arrest affidavit has provided us it’s quite possible that he isn’t denying or lying about anything. After reconsidering that I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he pleads guilty and accepts his punishment.

I have to agree. He could have just as easily denied any involvement whatsoever.

 

[di anna]

I know this has probably been discussed previously. But I cannot figure out how CR initally started this situation (besides what he told LE). How the heck did he get a fit young woman (in broad day light) into his vehicle. That's my deal I just cannot fathom this. Getting to her physically, interacting with her, putting her in his trunk, delivering her to a cornfield. That's alot of movement in awake hours. Also how does the farm or agriculture business benefit so much hiring these guys. Of course I guess I can anwser my own question , because saving on labor is where you cut your costs so you have more profit. I am very impressed with the sleuthing going on here about his background, because really this guy almost pulled off the perfect crime.
Over half of America (I know I was) praying for her to be found to give her family some closure. And now this................

 

[MistyWaters]

I don't think that it is so much giving CR the benefit of the doubt, as it is attempting to come to know the Beast, and understand why he did the deed. This may be an exercise in futility, in trying to find rational answers to what was an irrational act.

I agree, there will be no rational explanation.

And I can also appreciate why some think CR should be condemned to immediate death and deemed purely evil, but I can also see the other side. I think it’s the same reason CR’s first attorney is expressing, what is it that causes these types of senseless tragedies in terms of future prevention.

"When you focus on what happened on that road, the obligation of the defense and prosecution is seeking out truth in rational, peaceful and efficient manner in order to solve society's ills," said Richards. "Give it a chance."
Cristhian Rivera's former lawyer explains why he took the murder case

 

[rebel123]

Did MT typically run with or against traffic? Running with traffic with ear buds would leave her unaware of a car approaching from behind her, hence the element of surprise. Running against traffic you see cars coming and can be aware and prepared if the car stops or swerves

On the night in question, more then likely ' run with the traffic'.

 

[human]

IIRC, there is no house to one side of the house Mollie was staying in. I believe they were the first house after the dirt turned to pavement in the video Sharon Needles did. And on the other side of them sits the electric co-op, the one with the non-working camera. Seems he could have parked there unnoticed perhaps. JMO

There is a house on the other side that seems to be very close

 

[otto]

It would appear that he offered a quick confession and led them right to the body. From the very limited info the arrest affidavit has provided us it’s quite possible that he isn’t denying or lying about anything. After reconsidering that I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he pleads guilty and accepts his punishment.

Why would he plead guilty? He has reported that when he met Mollie, she threatened him and made him so angry that his memory failed. When he recovered from his memory failure, he discovered that she was in the trunk of his car. There's really nothing to plead guilty to. In his story, Mollie is the threat. She is the aggressor. She should not have treated him so poorly.

Since he has no memory of how she got into the trunk of his car, it's possible that someone else put Mollie in his car and drove him to the cornfield. The only reason he knew the location of her body is that he remembers driving home from that cornfield.

 

[SteveP]

There is a house on the other side that seems to be very close

Thanks for the correction. I have not gone back and looked at the video recently, and did not recall one there.

 

[otto]

I have to agree. He could have just as easily denied any involvement whatsoever.

He could deny involvement, but he knew police would eventually obtain blood evidence in the car and confront him with the fact that it is not true. It's better for him that he did not lie to investigators about something that could so easily be proven false.

 

[SharonNeedles]

On the night in question, more then likely ' run with the traffic'.

It is almost unheard of on these narrow two lane blacktops for runners to run with the traffic - and quite dangerous to do so with or without earbuds.