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

[MsBetsy]

There is no need to "get around" it as long as CR maintains 'silence' on what may have occurred during that "blocked memory" period. The prosecution would have to prove CR really didn't experience a "blocked memory" episode. How do you prove that? A history of "blocked memory" episodes helps the defense; if this is a first-time "blocked memory" event, it significantly helps the prosecution in that it could be presented as 'proof' that CR at least subconsciously knew what he was doing was wrong (read: heinous) that he blocked that memory. I believe this pivots on whether or not CR's defense can prove a history of such episodes occurring stressful or highly-emotional circumstances. MOO

I suppose the prosecution could ask the judge to permit/order a hypnosis interview to 'help' CR 'unblock' that memory.

Right, i
I was just saying it will be very diffucult to prove that he actually had a true blackout , not that he " blocked out the memory." The memory has to be there in the first place to block it out. He is trying to make us believe that there was a moment in time during an event that was so traumatic for him that he has no recollection at all. In order to prove this, I believe they would need legitimate background information, I would think. He probably has no medical records, or at least very little, and I am thinking they would also need witness testimony to back it up. Or rather the prosecution needs to prove that he has no medical history, or there is nothing in the results of the psychological testing that would support that he has black outs. I just have a hard time thinking a jury will believe him if this happens to be the only episode he has ever had. It's way to convenient. He can say he went into a fog or trance or whatever he wants to say. That's what I meant by saying good luck to the defense.

 

[Rocco]

A doubly-sickening thought has occurred to me: what IF this was only about stealing MT's phone and ear buds? Maybe CR believed all he had to do was run up to MT, pursue a bit as he figured how he might grab the phone and buds and take off in his vehicle? MT fought back and that's why CR ultimately did what he did?

I'm just throwing this out there; it's possible the defense might argue their case with this approach. They will have to diminish intent.

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.

 

[cheko1]

"Today, we need to turn the page. We're at the end of a long ordeal. But we need to turn toward life -- Mollie's life-- because Mollie's nobody's victim. Mollie's my hero."

Rob Tibbetts, Mollie's Father

I don't know how RT was able to keep it together!!!

 

[MsBetsy]

**********GRAPHIC WARNING***********
To swab a vagina for semen, you must first have a... Muscle is made of protein, as is the body part in question. The process of anarobic bacterial post-mortem putrafication is the breakdown of proteins and everything else by other bacteria, mold and enzymes. Bacteria and mold will degrade DNA, as it is made of sugars and amino acids; all stuff that bacteria can digest. After 5ish weeks in the Iowa summer heat, in the shade of the corn plants, how much soft tissue will be left to be swabed on the skeletonizing body, in a pool of soupy liquification? Sure, you can get the body's DNA from a tooth if necessary, but what are the chances of finding markers for that small amount of male DNA left with the body, in that mess. And I have not even discussed insect and animal activity. The chances of finding CR's DNA on the body, if present, are likely none to maybe. But the FBI forensic labs are the best, and if any one can do it, they can!

So, in other words, to put it simply, there is very little they have to work with.

 

[Deleted member 39678]

So, in other words, to put it simply, there is very little they have to work with.

Sounds like its the posters opinion to me.

LE may have more than we think. JMO

 

[otto]

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.

The suspect is a violent predator who stalked, abducted, and murdered Mollie. This was not a robbery. This was not a date. This was not a nice man being rejected by a young woman. Nothing Mollie did or did not do would have changed the outcome.

 

[SteveP]

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

I am sorry that I reached my limit of free articles on the Des Moines Register site, but they are a newspaper, and in this day and age, most people do not get actual newspapers to nearly the extent they did even just a few years ago. Most people get their news on tv or online, and newspapers have every right to charge for their online editions, and I guess most have to in order to survive. I know my local newspaper does. It may look like the DR site is being opportunistic, in light of the Mollie case and attention that came with it, but I imagine that policy was in place well before any of us ever heard of Mollie. JMO

 

[Confusion]

Very possible scenario. My one question to the WS'ers is how did the sharp instrument play into this crime? Did he threaten her with it to get her to go with him in the vehicle? Was it used initially then she was put in the trunk and driven to the cornfield? The sharp instrument and its role are key IMHO but changes this situation to premeditated assault and murder I would think. Sure LE looking at this issue. I do not mean to be to "Law and Order" on this post as today is the funeral for MT and that should be the main focus but have been really curious on this point. MOO

I've been gone all day so I haven't read any further than this post; I hope you got some better answers than mine! The thing that crossed my mind was that he hadn't originally planned for things to go as far as they did. He may have used a pocket knife he carries with him, a screwdriver laying on the floor, or any number of things that might be laying around in a car. Then again, he may have planned for things to go exactly as the did, and that would mean he could have brought anything with him.

 

[MistyWaters]

According to the suspect, Mollie threatened him when she allegedly threatened to report him to police. He voluntarily made this statement so he could blame Mollie for causing him to "rage" and "block out". That is, if she had not threatened him, he would not have raged, and she would be alive.

This man stalked Mollie. He lay in wait. He attacked her. He drove her 12 miles from where he found her. He stabbed her multiple times. He hid the body. How can we possibly suggest that Mollie rejected him and therefore he "lost it". How can we possibly think that what he did in any way equates to "asking her on a date".

I guess I just interpret it differently. He admitted he harassed Mollie - then if he was truly using as an excuse, blaming her (ie. it was all her fault) for making him angry by threatening to call police then absolutely, he’s still indirectly admitting he destroyed the life of another who had every right to say “no” to him. Either way, his goose is cooked imo.

 

[Warwick7]

So, in other words, to put it simply, there is very little they have to work with.

However "prints" can be on a number of things (I hope). Even the other earbud could have prints on it.

 

[gforce]

The suspect is a violent predator who stalked, abducted, and murdered Mollie. This was not a robbery. This was not a date. This was not a nice man being rejected by a young woman. Nothing Mollie did or did not do would have changed the outcome.

Yeah, I'm amazed there are people on here trying to figure out how Mollie attracted this savage. Or trying to figure out what psychological issue the savage had for doing this.

 

[MsBetsy]

According to the suspect, Mollie threatened him when she allegedly threatened to report him to police. He voluntarily made this statement so he could blame Mollie for causing him to "rage" and "block out". That is, if she had not threatened him, he would not have raged, and she would be alive.

This man stalked Mollie. He lay in wait. He attacked her. He drove her 12 miles from where he found her. He stabbed her multiple times. He hid the body. How can we possibly suggest that Mollie rejected him and therefore he "lost it". How can we possibly think that what he did in any way equates to "asking her on a date".

When I think of a scenario in which someone felt rejected, lost it and " snapped" it usually involves two people in a relationship and one decides to leave the other. It is the thought of that person leaving them and loss of control that causes the person to lose it and murder someone, like a crime of passion. In this situation we have two people who didn't even know each other Rivera had no emotion or feelings in regard to Mollie. She was simply the perfect victim. Different kind of crime.

 

[otto]

I guess I just interpret it differently. He admitted he harassed Mollie - then if he was truely blaming her for making him angry by threatening to call police then absolutely, he’s still indirectly admitting he destroyed the life of another who had every right to say “no” to him. Either way, his goose is cooked imo.

Is there anything that Mollie could have done to avoid the outcome we have today?

 

[Warwick7]

I've been gone all day so I haven't read any further than this post; I hope you got some better answers than mine! The thing that crossed my mind was that he hadn't originally planned for things to go as far as they did. He may have used a pocket knife he carries with him, a screwdriver laying on the floor, or any number of things that might be laying around in a car. Then again, he may have planned for things to go exactly as the did, and that would mean he could have brought anything with him.

However, Rahn said..."and for whatever reason he chose to ABDUCT her."

 

[EaglesSpeical]

Yeah, I'm amazed there are people on here trying to figure out how Mollie attracted this savage. Or trying to figure out what psychological issue the savage had for doing this.

Agreed. Unfortunately appears to be a crime of opportunity by a violent predator. JMO

 

[gregjrichards]

“Rob Tibbetts was among four people to deliver emotional eulogies Sunday afternoon to a crowd of more than 1,200 people inside the gymnasium at Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom High School. The school, in Brooklyn, a town of about 1,500, is just a short walk from where Mollie Tibbetts lived with her mother and two brothers.

"Today, we need to turn the page. We’re at the end of a long ordeal," he said. "But we need to turn toward life — Mollie’s life — because Mollie’s nobody’s victim. Mollie’s my hero."

Rob Tibbetts called upon the devastated community and family to come together in honoring his daughter.

"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."

'Today, we need to turn the page. We're at the end of a long ordeal,' Rob Tibbetts tells crowd at daughter's funeral

I’m sure Mollie would be very proud of her Dad.

 

[gforce]

Is there anything that Mollie could have done to avoid the outcome we have today?

Well, not her, but anyone who knew that this guy was an illegal alien could have reported him over the years.

 

[Icechick]

I don't believe that she threatened him at all. He threatened her. He alleges that she threatened him because he wants to blame her for his imaginary block out that caused him to murder her.

He stalked her, learned her habits and running route, lay in wait for her to be alone on the East boundary of Brooklyn, he abducted her and threw her into his car. He then drove her out of Brooklyn, assaulted her, stabbed her multiple times, and hid her body. He was not interested in chatting with her.

Fully wholeheartedly agree.

 

[SteveP]

Is there anything that Mollie could have done to avoid the outcome we have today?

I seriously doubt it, and I think I know you well enough here to know that it is the farthest thing from your mind, but I fear trying to think of things she could have done to avoid the outcome we have today, almost tiptoes to the edge of assigning her some of the blame for her demise...JMO

 

[MistyWaters]

When I think of a scenario in which someone felt rejected, lost it and " snapped" it usually involves two people in a relationship and one decides to leave the other. It is the thought of that person leaving them and loss of control that causes the person to lose it and murder someone, like a crime of passion. In this situation we have two people who didn't even know each other Rivera had no emotion or feelings in regard to Mollie. She was simply the perfect victim. Different kind of crime.

Definitely not a crime of passion. Mollie was “a fighter” and likely knew if Rivera was attempting to involuntarily coerce her into his vehicle that her odds of survival would have even been lower. Isn’t that exactly what’s reinforced worldwide? It certainly is in Canada.