An Iowa judge sentenced Jeremy Goodale, the Fairfield teen convicted in his Spanish teacher’s murder, to life in prison on Wednesday, November 15. The 18-year-old will become eligible for parole after 25 years, per NBC News.
Earlier this year, Goodale and his friend Willard Miller pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder of 66-year-old Spanish teacher Nohema Graber in 2021. Prosecutors had alleged that the duo conspired to murder Graber over a bad grade. In July, Miller received a life sentence with parole after 35 years and is now serving time at the Iowa State Penitentiary, per the Department of Corrections.
Spanish teacher killer Jeremy Goodale sentenced to life with parole
Goodale, the second Fairfield High School student and Spanish teacher killer, received a life sentence on November 15. Judge Shawn Showers sentenced Jeremy Goodale, 18, to life in prison with parole after 25 years. Earlier in July, his friend Willard Miller, 17, received a similar sentence of life in prison with parole after 35 years. Police arrested the duo in November 2021, days after the remains the of Spanish teacher were found.
Fox News reported that both Goodale and Miller pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in April. They were facing first-degree murder and first-degree conspiracy to commit murder charges in Graber’s murder committed on November 2, 2023. Prosecutors charged the teens as adults and alleged that they beaten the 66-year-old to death using a baseball bat.
The victim’s family reported her missing that same day. Police soon learned that her last known whereabouts were at the Chautauqua Park in Fairfield. She frequently visited the park for afternoon walks. The following day, on November 3, police found her badly beaten, lifeless body there.
According to the outlet, prosecutors alleged that the high schoolers conspired to kill Graber after she gave Miller a poor grade. Reports suggest that Miller was the first to suggest this idea because he was worried that the bad grade would prevent him from participating in a study abroad program.
