The man accused of murdering Iowa college studentMollie Tibbettspleaded not guilty on Wednesday in her death and waived his right to a speedy trial, setting the stage for an April trial, PEOPLE confirms.
Cristhian Rivera, 24, appeared briefly in the Poweshiek County Courthouse for his arraignment on a first-degree murder charge in Tibbetts’ slaying. The 20-year-old University of Iowa sophomorewas found dead in an area cornfieldlast month, more than four weeksafter vanishing while out on her usual evening jogaround her hometown of Brooklyn.
Rivera admitted that he crossed paths with Tibbetts while she was jogging and began to follow her, at which point she threatened to call the police — panicking and angering Rivera — the warrant affidavit states.
Preliminary autopsy findings showed Tibbettsdied from “blunt force injuries,”such as cuts or stab wounds, but additional details in the homicide remain unclear.
A motive has not been confirmed, but authorities have said Rivera “seemed to be drawn to her [Tibbetts] on that particular day and chose to abduct her.”
Charlie Neibergall/AP/Shutterstock
Near the endof Rivera’s brief arraignment on Wednesday, he waived his right to a trial within 90 days of formal charges being filed. The judge set a trial date for April 16.
Rivera did not address the court beyond answering the judge with yes or no.
RELATED VIDEO: Man Accused in Murder of Mollie Tibbetts Appears in Court
A message left with Rivera’s attorney was not immediately returned on Wednesday. Allan Richards, an attorney who previously represented him immediately following his arrest, reiterated that Rivera is presumed innocent andhas no prior criminal record.
“Whether or not there was something that happened that was very outrageous, that is a different matter,” Richards told PEOPLE. “I have seen no evidence on that at no point.”
A woman who answered the phone at the Poweshiek County Attorney’s Office said they were not commenting.
As hundreds of mournersgathered at a funeral for Tibbetts in late August, her father described her not as a victim but as his “hero.”
source: people.com
