Iowa Teen Who Murdered Spanish Teacher With Baseball Bat Gets Life in Prison

In a sentencing hearing that lasted over seven hours, Willard Miller, one of the two Iowa teens who pleaded guilty to beating their high school Spanish teacher, Nohema Graber, to death with a baseball bat, received a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 35 years, according to CBS News.

During the hearing, Judge Shawn Showers addressed Miller directly, acknowledging the gravity of the crime committed.

He stated, "I will not gloss over the fact that you and Mr. Goodale cut Nohema Graber's precious life short" before delivering the sentence.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, prosecutors had recommended a sentence ranging from 30 years to life in prison for Miller, with the possibility of parole.

Jeremy Goodale, the other teenager involved, is yet to be sentenced.

Before the sentencing, Miller accepted responsibility for the killing and apologized to the Graber family.

In court, he stated, "I would like to apologize for my actions, first and foremost to the family. I am sincerely sorry for the distress I have caused you and the devastation I have caused your family."

Spanish Teacher's Family Doesn't Accept Iowa Teen's Apology

Miller's apology during the sentencing hearing did not elicit a sympathetic response from the family of Nohema Graber, the Spanish teacher, per KRCG.

Many family members expressed anger and frustration over the murder of a beloved teacher who held a respected position in the community.

They urged the judge to impose the longest possible prison sentence on Miller before he becomes eligible for parole.

Ten different family members took the opportunity to speak or provide statements, each expressing some degree of anger.

One family member highlighted Graber's dedication to helping struggling students, even mentioning how she had helped Miller in the past.

However, another family member stated their disbelief in Miller's apology, emphasizing a lack of genuine remorse for taking Graber's life.

In addition, several family members held the Iowa teens, Miller and Goodale, responsible for the subsequent death of Graber's husband, who had delayed cancer treatment due to the depression caused by the murder.

Jim Graber, Nohema Graber's brother-in-law, directed a strong message toward Miller: "I hope you open your soul to the Lord and maybe ask for forgiveness there first because you're on a spiral straight to hell," while staring directly at Miller.

Iowa Teens Murder Spanish Teacher

Miller and Goodale, both 16 years old during the incident on November 2, 2021, murdered Nohema Graber, the Spanish teacher, in a park where she frequently walked after school, Yahoo! News noted.

Prosecutors revealed that the motive behind the crime was the anger Miller harbored towards Graber due to a poor grade she had given him.

During the investigation, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation agent Trent Vileta recounted the discovery of Graber's body concealed under a tarp in Chautauqua Park.

The body was obscured by a wheelbarrow and a railroad tie, making it difficult to see, with only a hand and a shoe visible.

After partially uncovering the tarp, Vileta noted that the primary visible injury on Graber was a severe head wound.

Initially denying any knowledge of Graber's disappearance during an interview, Miller later claimed to have witnessed other individuals carrying her body in the park.

Goodale had previously testified that he and Miller had planned the murder for approximately two weeks. He also said that they struck the victim before concealing her body.

Miller admitted to assisting in hiding the body but denied physically assaulting Graber.

Although charged as adults, Iowa teens Miller and Goodale were not subject to mandatory life sentences without parole for first-degree murder due to their age at the time of the crime. Miller is currently 17 years old, while Goodale is 18.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Spanish Teacher Killer Willard Miller Speaks Before Receiving Prison Sentence - From Law&Crime Network