An Iowa teenager who pleaded guilty to beating his high school Spanish teacher to death with a baseball bat after receiving a bad grade has been sentenced to life in prison.
Willard Miller, 17, was today ordered to spend the rest of his life behind bars after he and fellow conspirator Jeremy Goodale, 18, murdered Nohema Graber.
The two had pleaded guilty to murder in April this year after assaulting the 66-year-old while walking in Fairfield, Iowa, in November 2021.
In sentencing the teenager, District Judge Shawn Showers recognized Miller’s age but found that he “shortened Nohema Graber’s precious life.”
Judge Showers said, “I find your intentions and actions to be sinister and evil.” These acts brutally resulted in the willful loss of life. There’s no excuse.’
During his sentencing today, Miller made a statement in court apologizing for his actions
Jeremy Goodale is seen here pleading guilty to the murder of Graber earlier this year
Nohema Graber, pictured here, is said to have given Miller a bad grade before she was murdered by the pair
According to court documents filed by the prosecution, the teens were packing graves while she was on her daily afternoon stroll in Chautauqua Park.
The two then dragged her into the woods and beat her to death with a baseball bat after she gave Miller a bad grade.
Graber’s body was eventually found in a city park, hidden under a tarp, wheelbarrow, and railroad ties.
Witnesses saw Graber’s van exit the park on the day of the murder with two men in the front seat. The vehicle was parked at the end of a country road.
Prosecutors say there is evidence both teenagers hit Graber with the bat, but the two had differing accounts of the attack.
In late March, Goodale agreed to testify against Miller, saying that it was his friend who initiated the plan to kill Graber and that they both hit her.
Miller had previously denied ever assaulting Graber, although he did admit that he helped plan and carry out the murder, which took place after a meeting between them during a school term.
The two teenagers then decided to plead guilty to the crimes and a settlement was reached.
Mexican-born Graber, who was 66 at the time of her death, was out for a walk when she was attacked by the couple
Miller, here in tears, said he was “sincerely sorry” for killing his teacher
Miller turned and made a statement to his family and the family of co-defendant Jeremy Goodale during his sentencing hearing at the Jefferson County Courthouse
As part of the agreement, prosecutors had recommended that Miller receive a sentence of between 30 years and life imprisonment with the possibility of parole.
During today’s hearing, Miller said he accepted responsibility for the murder and apologized to Graber’s family.
The killer said, “First and foremost, I would like to apologize to the family for my actions.”
“I am sincerely sorry for the hurt I have caused you and for the devastation I have caused your family.”
“I’m just realizing the magnitude of what I did, and I know it’s wrong, and I knew it was wrong, and yet I went through with it anyway.”
Graber’s relatives either read or submitted victim statements, describing the woman as kind, caring, and devoted to her family, students, and church.
Several also blamed the two for the recent death of Graber’s husband, who was suffering from cancer but delayed treatment due to his depression from the murder.
Graber’s brother-in-law, Jim Graber, said while staring at Miller, “I hope you open your soul to the Lord and maybe ask forgiveness there first, because you are on a spiral straight to hell.”
Jim and Deanne Graber, pictured here, were in the courtroom today – Jim told Miller, “You’re on a spiral straight to hell.”
A family friend (centre) holds the hand of Nohema Marie Graber (right), daughter of murdered teacher Nohema Graber
Details of the murder shocked the community and caused many to mourn the loss of the respected educator.
Her sweetheart was just days before her 67th birthday when she was killed.
Born in Mexico, she worked as a flight attendant for a national airline before moving to America to become an educator.
Graber’s son and daughter shared on social media after the murder that they would forgive the teenage attackers.
Goodale is due to be sentenced in August, but his lawyers have requested the hearing be postponed