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

[Peaches96]

The prosecution will have to have presented evidence that supports a sexual assault before making a statement like that to the jury.

I hope the jury uses evidence to convict and not just the words of a prosecutor. JMO

Maybe someone can explain this to me but let’s say a sexual assault did happen, wouldn’t DNA from semen still be present even if decomposition was in full effect? Or, does that type of DNA decompose with the body? Not trying to be graphic, I’m just genuinely curious.

 

[ChuckMaureen]

I’m new and more of a lurker, so please forgive me if I don’t have the hang of posting on this forum.

I don’t like to carry anything while I’m running. The most innocuous thing can become annoying when you are hot and tired. If I felt my route was dangerous enough that I needed to carry a weapon, I’d either change my route or run at the gym.

I was followed once while running. It was in the middle of the day in a place I thought was safe. It’s terrifying and I think they were “only” trying to scare me. I can’t imagine the fear Mollie felt. I think she felt like her route was safe.

Having been a track, road and off-road bicyclist for many years, I came to know quite a few runners along the way and ~20% of them carried one sort or another protection devices, whether it was a small can of pepper spray, a whistle, a small flat rock (she was prepared to use it to hit an attacker in the temple!), a small penknife to a compact .32 ACP firearm.

The three women tragically murdered while running are making every woman scared

It might seem silly, but any woman can tell you, we are vulnerable in the world in general. It is a fact that is easy to dismiss until you hear about a woman raped in a parking garage. Or in her home. Or while she is out for a jog. This week has seen a number of "suggestions" online. Run with a knife, one man said. And he's not wrong. I wonder now if, along with my water and gel shots and music, I should also carry a weapon. Because women aren't safe anywhere. Not even while we are doing the one activity that keeps us sane and healthy and happy.

 

[Al Hoffman]

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.

And currently in Mississippi, with "Good Time" 20 years for the murder of a child is 12 and a 1/3 years.

 

[MassGuy]

And currently in Mississippi, with "Good Time" 20 years for the murder of a child is 12 and a 1/3 years.

Wow. I didn’t realize there were states that were still that lenient. Pathetic.

 

[Anthony D]

You’re right. As of now, there is no known evidence of rape. As this attack was almost certainly sexually motivated, it’s more probable than not, that Mollie was sexually assaulted in some way. There’s a chance that even if she was, we may never know.

"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.

Devils advocate, did he stalk her for the sole intent to murder or was he initially attracted to a heathy, beautiful, vibrant young woman running? Then in his delusional mind, he thought if he approached her and chatted it up, she might be mutually interested in him as well?

The part of his confession that rings true is her threat to call 911. Mollie was obviously not interested in this guy for a multitude of reasons. He crossed the line by persistently running beside her, wouldn’t leave her alone so rightfully she threatened to call LE.....and at that point he claimed he became mad/outraged.

“Intent” enters the picture imo at the time Mollie rebuked his advances.

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.

 

[CuriousCricket]

Or, maybe he was meaning he drug her by the feet??

Or maybe meaning that he didn't put her on a tarp or cart, little wagon or something . .. ?

 

[MsBetsy]

bbm


I could see that happening if CR has a provable history of such "blocked memory" events, but as a one-time, single event (as in this case) it likely wouldn't carry significant weight. In fact, it might backfire as a jury might perceive it as CR having known what he was doing was so heinous that it caused him to "block" the memory.

In my mind there is nothing that they will find that will" justify" what he did. The black out story simply isn't believable. It is way too convenient. If anything, what they find may even work against him and expose him for who he really is.

 

[Crystal Regan]

Actually we have no idea what really happened do we. All we have is the statement from the man we think killed Mollie and led us to her body.
He blacked out??? and nobody really knows what happened to her.
Coroner might give us some information once the autopsy is complete. Fitbit and phone, if found, might relay info.

BTW have they found the earphones he said were in his lap when he 'came to'?

Does anyone know if the earphones were the wired set or the new wireless 2pc earbuds Apple came out with a little while back?

 

[Deleted member 39678]

Maybe someone can explain this to me but let’s say a sexual assault did happen, wouldn’t DNA from semen still be present even if decomposition was in full effect? Or, does that type of DNA decompose with the body? Not trying to be graphic, I’m just genuinely curious.

I'm not an expert but I believe it's possible that semen could still be recovered after that amount of time. JMO

 

[ar3593]

Rob Tibbetts.... A remarkable man

Yes indeed he is! Cannot say I would be so remarkable and accepting

 

[MassGuy]

I'm not an expert but I believe it's possible that semen could still be recovered after that amount of time. JMO

It’s tough, but remains a possibility.

 

[KaaBoom]

What is the evidence that she was hit by the car? I missed that

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

 

[Deleted member 39678]

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

First degree murder can also be proven under the felony murder rule which does not require the State to prove the accused acted willfully, deliberately, or with premeditation. These elements are presumed to exist if the State proves the death of the person occurred while the accused was participating in a forcible felony. A forcible felony is defined as any felonious assault, murder, sexual abuse, kidnapping, robbery, arson in the first degree or burglary in the first degree. However, the Iowa Supreme Court has concluded that if an act causing willful injury as a forcible felony is the same act that causes the victim’s death, that act cannot serve as the predicate felony for felony murder purposes.

Murder/Homicide in Iowa - GRL Law Firm

 

[MsBetsy]

There appeared to be damage in one of the photos. There is absolutely no reporting, or evidence that has been revealed, supporting this. It’s speculation only.

Thanks, I saw that, but thought maybe something more definitive came up

 

[Alethea]

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

How long that will take is unknown.

Halee Rathgeber was murdered in April 2017 and her killer has already been convicted of murder after a jury trial. I thought that case might take years but they managed to get it done quickly. Isaiah Hagan found guilty of murder, felony murder in Warrick County murder

 

[1987]

we are wondering how he moved her...it just came to my mind about how long her hair was.......hate even thinking about it.

 

[ar3593]

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

Poor Mollie, being stabbed to death has to be one of the worst ways to die IMO....

 

[Followfacts]

Having been a track, road and off-road bicyclist for many years, I came to know quite a few runners along the way and ~20% of them carried one sort or another protection devices, whether it was a small can of pepper spray, a whistle, a small flat rock (she was prepared to use it to hit an attacker in the temple!), a small penknife to a compact .32 ACP firearm.

The three women tragically murdered while running are making every woman scared

Thank you for posting this!!

 

[CuriousCricket]

I don't believe the judge has the discretion. The lesser included offenses must meet the requirements and if they do the judge can't disallow them. Check this portion of the appeal that I linked. I snipped the case precedents.




So the defendant can waive including the lesser included's (which happened in this case) but the State (prosecution) can overrule that wavier. JMO

https://cases.justia.com/iowa/supreme-court/050883-(2010-03-19).pdf

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?

 

[MassGuy]

we are wondering how he moved her...it just came to my mind about how long her hair was.......hate even thinking about it.

If he dragged her, it’s far easier to drag by the hands. Hair would obviously break after a point.

 

[Al Hoffman]

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."

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!