A Poweshiek County judge will decide whether Cristhian Bahena Rivera should get a new trial on his first-degree murder conviction in the July 2018  death of Mollie Tibbetts. Bahena Rivera and his attorneys argue there is new evidence that clears their client.  Nate Maki, who is currently doing time in Oakdale for domestic violence, says an inmate he met in the Keokuk County Jail in 2020, Gavin Jones, claimed he was the real killer of Mollie Tibbetts.

Division of Criminal Investigation special agent Trent Vileta was questioned by Brown about the investigation into Tibbetts’ death and Bahena Rivera leading law enforcement to her body. Vileta said they did not find Tibbetts body until Rivera led them to it.

Judge Joel Yates says he will issue a written ruling on a new trial for Bahena Rivera as soon as possible.