MAY 25, 2021
Defense makes opening statements in Cristhian Bahena Rivera trial (kcci.com)
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Freese stated that the trial is about Tibbetts and Bahena Rivera and that the jury should consider justice for both parties.
“…Your heart should break for Mollie Tibbetts,” she said. “Your heart should break for her family. Mollie Tibbetts deserves justice. Her family deserves justice, but so does Cristhian Bahena Rivera.”
Freese said the defense will call on witnesses in addition to relying on the “failure of the state to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.”
She stated that the jury will learn more about the circumstances surrounding Bahena Rivera’s immigration from Mexico and his work ethic.
Freese also claimed in her opening statement that the idea of “blacking out” during Tibbetts’ death may have been put in Bahena Rivera’s head.
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