Jim Slosiarek/ AP Cristhian Bahena Rivera appears during a hearing at the Poweshiek County

Yates scheduled Bahena River's sentencing hearing for Aug.... Bahena Rivera was convicted of killing University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts in 2018.... The case made national headlines as Tibbetts' disappearance sparked a month-long search....

A black Chevrolet Malibu believed to be driven by Rivera was spotted on surveillance circling Tibbetts as she jogged.... She remained mostly quiet and expressionless. CLICK HERE FOR THE ALL-NEW FOXBUSINESS. COMThe hearings are expected to last two or three days.... The judge has weeks to decide how much of Rivera’s alleged confession can be used in the murder trial scheduled for February....

The 27-year-old former farmhand, who testified that he came to the U.S. illegally from Mexico as a teenager, has been jailed since his arrest in August 2018. Yates pointedly rejected defense claims that others were responsible for the crime.“ Mr.... The hardest conversation was with Mollie’s grandmother, who was in disbelief that someone “ could harm such a beautiful, vibrant young woman so full of promise, ” she said.... Rivera was sentenced to life in prison for the stabbing death of college