Now that Cristhian Bahena Rivera has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the July 2018 murder of Mollie Tibbetts, you might think the matter would be settled.  But after Monday’s (8/30) sentencing, Jennifer Frese, one of Bahena Rivera’s defense attorneys, said they plan to appeal.  Iowa Assistant Attorney General Scott Brown talked about an appeal.

“In the Attorney General’s Office, we have an appeals division that handles the appeal.  So mine and Bart Klaver’s (Poweshiek County Attorney) involvement at this point will take more of a back seat to that.  We’ll let our appeals division take it from here.  We would expect notice of appeal within 30 days.  Usually that process takes 12 to 18 months before we get a decision.”

That appeal must be made in writing within 30 days of Monday’s sentencing.