Judge Raises Bond to $5 Million in Iowa Student Killing

A judge has ordered a man charged in the kidnapping and murder of an Iowa college student to be jailed on a $5 million cash-only bond.

Cristhian Bahena Rivera had been held since Tuesday on a $1 million cash-only bond after being charged with first-degree murder in the death of college student Mollie Tibbetts.

At a hearing Wednesday, Magistrate Judge Diane Crookham-Johnson granted a state prosecutor's request to raise the bond amount to $5 million.

Assistant attorney general Scott Brown noted that Rivera is suspected of being in the country illegally, and is charged with a "heinous crime." He says the higher bond amount would protect the community.

Rivera's lawyer, Allan Richards, said he plans to ask for a bond review hearing at a later date. He said his client is a young man who has no prior criminal history and has worked for a prominent local farmer for years.

Richards also argued that his client's right to a fair trial would be hurt by media coverage if reporters were allowed to remain in the courtroom. He says that comments by senior government officials, including President Donald Trump, have presumed his client is guilty and media coverage is highlighting those comments.

Crookham-Johnson rejected Richards' motion. She noted that nothing discussed at Wednesday's hearing would harm Rivera's case.

A criminal complaint alleges Rivera followed Tibbetts while she was out for a run, abducted and killed her, and dumped her body in a cornfield. Investigators say Rivera led them to a body believed to be Tibbetts early Tuesday.

An autopsy is scheduled Wednesday by the state medical examiner to determine the cause of death.

An affidavit says Rivera told investigators he became angry when Tibbetts showed a cell phone and threatened to call police. He says he panicked and then "blocked" his memory. He says he does not recall what happened but found an earpiece from headphones in his lap and realized he'd put Tibbetts' in his trunk.

He opened the trunk and noticed blood on the side of her head.

She disappeared July 18th.

Tibbetts' released a statement Wednesday that notes their grief but also thanks "all of those from around the world who have sent their thoughts and prayers for our girl."

The statement adds, "We know that many of you will join us as we continue to carry Mollie in our hearts forever."

The Tibbetts family says they need time to grieve in private but emphasized they appreciate the "outpouring of love and support that has been shared in Mollie's name."

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