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

[Deleted member 718]

"Sexually Motivated" yes it appears his intention was to hit on her. I don't know if his intention was so sexually assault her nor do I see any evidence at this point he did.

I agree. He followed her in hopes of seducing her.

 

[Sconnie]

Mollie Tibbetts' funeral: 'Today, we need to turn the page. We're at the end of a long ordeal,' Rob Tibbetts tells attendees


>>snip

The person best equipped to help us through this is Mollie," he said. "So let’s try to do what Mollie would do. Let’s say what Mollie would say."

Rob Tibbetts said he wanted to honor his daughter by "celebrating something wonderful." So he called for a couple in the packed gymnasium to stand up and be recognized — they had just been married the day before. The crowd enthusiastically applauded.

"That felt good. That’s what Mollie would have done," he said. "Let’s try one more. Let’s hear it for the Bears football team — for their first win."

>>snip

The gym was outfitted with a makeshift altar, covered in a simple white cloth. Three of Tibbetts' senior portraits were displayed at the front of the gym. No casket or urn was present.

>>snip

Rob Tibbetts thanked the many volunteers, law enforcement officers and the media for assisting in the search for his daughter. While it wasn't the return home he had hoped for, the weeks of coverage allowed many across the globe to get to know his daughter, he said.

"You want to know why there's been such an outpouring?" he said. "It's because we see ourselves in Mollie."

Her father recognizing the newly married couple reminds me that yesterday would have been the day that DJ's brother and fiancee would have celebrated their wedding locally, in Brooklyn. I do hope in the future they can find the peace and joy that they missed out on this month.

 

[Alethea]

I agree. She was stabbed to death. That has already been established. There was no car accident. Period.

I'm afraid I started this line of thought when I asked everyone to look at the dent in the car on the first page of the thread. I seriously was just wondering if that's how LE quickly identified the car as the car in the video from the surveillance camera. I don't think any damage to the car was from the crime itself.

 

[Al Hoffman]

Ok, but for a defendant to waive including the lesser includeds is a HUGE gamble -- It's an all-or-nothing verdict, right? The defendant is banking on the juror not being convinced of the major crime but having nothing left to fall back on will have to acquit? Right?

Exactly, that's the gamble you take when you feel the State's case is weak. If they can't clearly show intent, make 'em prove their case, or set 'em free. I'm not doing 10 - 20 for manslaughter if you can't prove I meant to kill him! Ever play Poker?

 

[The Farm]

I'm afraid I started this line of thought when I asked everyone to look at the dent in the car on the first page of the thread. I seriously was just wondering if that's how LE quickly identified the car as the car in the video from the surveillance camera. I don't think any damage to the car was from the crime itself.

Althea how dare you!

 

[MsBetsy]

If sexual assault is proven in this case it opens up the possibility of the "felony murder rule" coming into play.


Murder/Homicide in Iowa - GRL Law Firm

Ok so in other words if an act of rape, and anything associated with it is also the cause of death it is NOT considered a predicate felony? What exactly is a predicate felony?

 

[tmar]

I am wondering why they impounded two cars? we knew about the black one, I do think I see damage as if something had fallen on it on the passanger front, but why the Nissan...you know they didn't go to get the black car and just happen to hook a Nissan up to the back on the way. it must be related to the crime in some way.

Second car:
Could 2 cars have been used for stalking Mollie: same day/ other times?
Is there an Accomplice also involved before/after locating Mollie's body?
Did the Accused (with Mollie's 'blood evidence') enter a second car later, leaving evidence?
Is there a second person, having knowledge of this horrid situation. before the arrest?

 

[Deleted member 39678]

Ok, but for a defendant to waive including the lesser includeds is a HUGE gamble -- It's an all-or-nothing verdict, right? The defendant is banking on the juror not being convinced of the major crime but having nothing left to fall back on will have to acquit? Right?

The reason why a defendant may not want lesser included offenses given to the jury is strategic. He's hoping to get acquitted on a more severe charge like first degree murder because the burden of proof is much harder to get a conviction.

If you give the jury an alternative of second degree murder or voluntary manslaughter they may convict you on those charges and you go to prison for a long time.

In other words, yes it's a gamble. JMO

Edit to add. And that's why the State may request that lesser included charges are given to the jury to negate that defense strategy.

 

[Quill]

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.

Agreed!

 

[Jaclin]

@Copper said: ↑
That link that was posted before, it looked like the livestream was sponsored by the Des Moines Register.

I may be wrong but I think the debacle on the shoulders of greedy Register. All was set ready to go until a last minute paywall. Mollie would be pounding her fists!! It's Register's content, and the livestream paywall was at instruction of the Register seeing how many were on the countdown and wanted to profit. I'm sure Mollie's public service held at her BMG school will be available later.

they probably had it set up so it would be available to them if they were able to secure permission. I'm betting they did not secure permission.

 

[Seattle1]

That "no urn or casket was present" is likely very significant. This service likely was for family and community to have closure. It might be a while before MT is laid to rest. Until then, rest assured, the State is continuing to develop a significant case!

Yes, this was a public memorial celebrated in the gym of her former HS to be able to accommodate the hundreds that attended. As Mollie was confirmed in her Catholic faith, her remains (casket or urn) will be present at likely a private service held in her church.

 

[KaaBoom]

I'm afraid I started this line of thought when I asked everyone to look at the dent in the car on the first page of the thread. I seriously was just wondering if that's how LE quickly identified the car as the car in the video from the surveillance camera. I don't think any damage to the car was from the crime itself.

I looked at that picture and I can't see any damage. It looks like a clean shiny car with a lot of reflection to me. I think the picture was from too far away to see any damage. If there is a close up of it, then I might change my mind.

 

[Al Hoffman]

I'm going to follow this case thru to the end.

How long that will take is unknown.

18 months, tops?

 

[MsBetsy]

That "no urn or casket was present" is likely very significant. This service likely was for family and community to have closure. It might be a while before MT is laid to rest. Until then, rest assured, the State is continuing to develop a significant case!

I was thinking that as well. Three beautiful pictures capture the soul much better than would a casket.

 

[Crystal Regan]

My point is that since the arrest, all sorts of very young women are making all sorts of claims about potentially being a victim. That seems like a good way to get attention.

All women have or have potentially been a victim. Sadly, this has been our reality for way too long. I get tired of not being able to work late for fear of being attacked in the parking garage, not being able to just park my car without having to do a level 10 exit analysis. God forbid that I ever get to go on a walk in a park by myself. I have screwdrivers crammed in every nook and cranny of my car just in case. I think it is very healthy for these young women to discuss this openly.

 

[Seattle1]

they probably had it set up so it would be available to them if they were able to secure permission. I'm betting they did not secure permission.

And especially not for a fee. Somewhat disappointed in DR and their local coverage of this horrific crime. We've had more updates & details from DMail. Also, DailyM was first to provide Mollie's Dad's quote.... MOO

 

[MsBetsy]

I looked at that picture and I can't see any damage. It looks like a clean shiny car with a lot of reflection to me. I think the picture was from too far away to see any damage. If there is a close up of it, then I might change my mind.

Looks can be deceiving. Many thought it did look like there was damage to the car until we saw the shape of the headlights in another picture.

 

[otto]

"Sexually Motivated" yes it appears his intention was to hit on her. I don't know if his intention was so sexually assault her nor do I see any evidence at this point he did.

Yea I don't agree there was any intent to commit a crime until he was rejected. I also don't agree with a couple posts here saying a jury would convict him with sexual assault without evidence. I mean look the guy is terrible for what he did, but the reason we have the legal system is so people get charged for the correct crimes and not charged based on peoples assumptions. In order for that to happen he evidence needs to be there. No matter how obvious it is to us and others that he did these terrible acts if you look at just the evidence his lawyer is obviously looking for loop holes, because notice in the confession CR never admits to actually killing her.

CR confession is very carefully stated that he chased her then doesn't remember anything else until he is in the car. He never mentions in the confession he killed her. He "chased" her, then all of a sudden he remembers nothing else until he remembered he put her in the trunk. Then he dragged her body after he conveniently found her in his car. I hope the prosecution gets enough facts where they can just open and shut this and not have it drag on by the defense.

BBM

I have a very different perspective of what happened. "Hitting on her", and "no intent to commit a crime until he was rejected" don't seem to have anything to do with this abduction and murder.

This man stalked Mollie. Accosting her while she is jogging is not "hitting on her". The only consequence of accosting a jogger on a remote road is rejection.

 

[Deleted member 39678]

All women have or have potentially been a victim. Sadly, this has been our reality for way too long. I get tired of not being able to work late for fear of being attacked in the parking garage, not being able to just park my car without having to do a level 10 exit analysis. God forbid that I ever get to go on a walk in a park by myself. I have screwdrivers crammed in every nook and cranny of my car just in case. I think it is very healthy for these young women to discuss this openly.

I believe that all people have the potential to become a victim of violent crime.

Women, men and children no matter what age. JMO

 

[MsBetsy]

Althea how dare you!

It's actually probably the Daily Mail's fault.