Attorney: Suspect in Iowa slaying is not illegal immigrant

MONTEZUMA, Iowa — Attorneys in the case of a Mexican man accused of killing an Iowa college student sparred Wednesday over the suspect’s immigration status, and a defense lawyer lashed out at President Donald Trump for suggesting that his client is guilty in comments that he said would “poison” the entire jury pool.

So far, prosecutors are standing by their allegations that Cristhian Bahena Rivera, 24, was in the country illegally when he abducted and killed Mollie Tibbetts, a 20-year-old student whose body was found Tuesday. Prosecutors have charged Mr. Rivera with first-degree murder, and he’s being held on a $5 million bond.

But Mr. Rivera’s lawyer filed paperwork arguing that Mr. Rivera had legal status to be in the country, and he referred to comments by an employer that believed Mr. Rivera was able to work at a nearby dairy. In the documents, defense attorney Allan M. Richards noted Mr. Trump’s use of the case to rail against immigration.

“Sad and Sorry Trump has weighed in on this matter in national media which will poison the entire possible pool of jury members,” Mr. Richards wrote.

Mr. Rivera made his initial court appearance on a charge of first-degree murder. A judge agreed to increase his bond after prosecutor Scott Brown noted he was a potential flight risk who was charged with a “heinous crime.”