The man accused of abducting and murdering 20-year-old Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts has asked a judge to delay his trial.

The man accused of abducting and murdering 20-year-old Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts has asked a judge to delay his trial.Cristhian Bahena Rivera, 24, a Mexican native, pleaded not guilty in September in Tibbetts’ death. He waived his right to a speedy trial at the time.Bahena Rivera was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in August after Tibbetts’ body was found in a rural Poweshiek County cornfield, not far from where she was last seen jogging.Bahena Rivera is being held in the Poweshiek County Jail in lieu of $5 million cash-only bail. A judge set a trial date for April 16, with a pretrial conference on April 4.Attorneys for Bahena Rivera argued that much of the state’s evidence in the case had not been shared with the defense until the last 30 to 45 days, meaning the defense needs more time to review the material before trial.The judge has not yet made a decision on the request.

The man accused of abducting and murdering 20-year-old Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts has asked a judge to delay his trial.

Cristhian Bahena Rivera, 24, a Mexican native, pleaded not guilty in September in Tibbetts’ death. He waived his right to a speedy trial at the time.


Bahena Rivera was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in August after Tibbetts’ body was found in a rural Poweshiek County cornfield, not far from where she was last seen jogging.

Bahena Rivera is being held in the Poweshiek County Jail in lieu of $5 million cash-only bail. A judge set a trial date for April 16, with a pretrial conference on April 4.

Attorneys for Bahena Rivera argued that much of the state’s evidence in the case had not been shared with the defense until the last 30 to 45 days, meaning the defense needs more time to review the material before trial.

The judge has not yet made a decision on the request.