WATCH LIVE: Cristhian Bahena Rivera takes the stand in his own defense in death of Mollie Tibbetts

Defense attorneys in the murder trial of Cristhian Bahena Rivera gave their opening statement Tuesday in the death of Mollie Tibbetts.

"The State in this case, they got what they wanted and they closed the case," attorney Jennifer Frese told the jury. "They got what they needed, there was an intense amount of pressure, that's what the evidence has shown you, to close this case, to arrest someone for this vicious crime."
DNA expert Dr. Michael Spence testified he normally gives second opinions in criminal cases, but does not conduct his own testing of samples.

"Just based on what the typical protocols are for doing all the steps ... I didn't see any major issues with handling or possible risks of contamination or protocols that were in place that weren't followed," he said.

Next up was Alejandra Cervantes, Bahena Rivera's aunt, who testified she went to the sheriff's office when they heard about her nephew being questioned.

Iris Monarrez Gamboa, the mother of Bahena Rivera's child, told the court she didn't know him to be angry or violent.

Defense attorney Jennifer Frese: "Has Christian Bahena Rivera ever been violent towards you ... has he ever been violent towards your daughter?"

Monarrez Gamboa: "No."

Frese: "Did Christian Bahena Rivera ever express any sort of anger that you believed was excessive?"

Monarrez Gamboa: "No."

Frese: "He had any sort of anger problems?"

"Monarrez Gamboa: "No."

After an Iowa DCI fingerprint analyst testified, Tibbetts' boyfriend, Dalton Jack, returned to the stand.

He was questioned about his relationship and future plans with Mollie, as well as another woman he was seeing early on in the couple’s relationship. He testified about text conversations regarding those relationships.

"And instead of continuing to work the case, instead of continuing to work the evidence, they submitted it to you."

EDITOR'S NOTE: Some of the images and video depicted in testimony may be graphic in nature.

[ivannio]

Around 3:10 its getting even more wild!!! Pexa - now the stress + sweat hits the other team. Super exiting case. Like an old school krimi novel :) layers upon layers..and now a daughter of mr.

[sf-jim]

Mr Bahena-Rivera’s story is just crazy enough to be true. Despite his less than legal immigration status, which really has NOTHING to do with this case, I find Mr B-H seems to be a much nicer person, Mr Jack, who to me seems to be sort of a jerk, on several levels.

[freedomring]

The defense attorney is fantastic. Posters criticizing her don't understand the important role of constitutionally appointed defense counsel in our democracy.

[mariannpasquale]

Some of this is out of Jody Arias's playbook. Which didn't bode well for her.

[daniel]

what a stupid defense . why would they put him on the stand

[bodymanberetta]

The two two mask men had a gun and a knife, But chose to stab her 12 times rather than shoot her? Totally unbelievable B.S . slam dunk GULTY

[mandystone]

he was soooo coached because he gives an excuse for being caught driving past the camera that caught him and molly but the close-up shot clearly shows that there's no other people in the car just the driver now how will they explain that one? o wait maybe the two masked man knew about the camera and ducked down right i dont think so hmmmm.

[ivannio]

This case is dynamite. Followed from day one..and boom!...new informations!! I have been thinking of if he was framed for a couple of days..and bingo ;) wonder how it all ends up???

[franciscogutierrez]

Why would the two men need your help? Daaaahhh! If they had driven their vehicle they would be sitting on the witness stand, and they'd be the defendants! What a huge stupid question by the prosecutor!