Two sixteen year old boys, Willard Miller and Jeremy Goodale, murdered their Spanish teacher due to a poor grade.
The body of sixty-six year old Fairfield High School teacher, Nohema Graber, was found dumped in a park after she was reported missing on Nov. 1st, 2021. Miller and Goodale had hidden her body under a tarp, and records show the cause of death was trauma to the head, and she was found by officials on Nov. 3rd, 2021.
During the investigation, it came to authorities attention that a majority of this gruesome murder had been communicated with peers through social media. These receipts included the motive for killing Graber, the original plan, and how they would get away with the crime.
Investigators found clothes covered in blood that belonged to Miller and Goodale in the park where Graber’s body was found. During interrogations, both boys admitted to being at the park during the time of murder and disappearance, but claimed they had no involvement with the crime.
In 2021, both boys admitted to the murder of Graber, however, they were both sentenced differently. Miller was sentenced at life with 35 years until parole, and Goodale was sentenced life with 25 years until parole after they both admitted to the murder.
Prosecutors said Miller was frustrated with his grade and had been arguing with Graber relentlessly. Goodale knew she often went to the park and suggested they did something about the grade. That’s when the boys found her walking and repeatedly beat her over the head with a baseball bat until she died.
The Iowa Supreme Court prohibits anyone under the age of 18 to receive mandatory minimum sentences for a crime committed.
On October 11 2024 the Iowa Supreme Court upheld the sentence given to Miller. He pleaded with the Iowa Supreme Court to resentence him to up to life in prison but without a mandatory minimum. The appeal argued against the judge for doing this, as it is seen as “cruel and unusual punishment.”
The court argued with Millers’ appeal, and decided it was necessary to have a mandatory minimum.
In 35 years, Miller will stand before the court again, and appeal for parole. But until then, he will be sitting in the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison.
