Teenagers killed Spanish teacher over bad grade, prosecutors say

2 teens accused in death of Iowa high school teacher over bad grade 2 teens accused in death of Iowa high school teacher over bad grade (NCD)
(NCD)

DES MOINES, Iowa — Two teenagers facing charges for killing their high school Spanish teacher allegedly did so because they were frustrated over a bad grade, prosecutors said in court documents released Tuesday.

>> Read more trending news

The documents, obtained by The Associated Press, were filed ahead of a Wednesday hearing on whether any evidence should be suppressed in the case against Willard Miller and Jeremy Goodale.

Goodale and Miller were charged in the murder of Nahoma Graber, whose remains were found in a Fairfield park on Nov. 3, 2021, the same day she was reported missing. Graber was beaten to death with a baseball bat and her body was hidden under a tarp, wheelbarrow and railroad ties, the AP reported.

Graber had taught Spanish at Fairfield High School since 2012, and both suspects were students at the school. Both were charged as adults with homicide in the first degree and conspiracy to commit homicide in the first degree.

Investigators said in the court documents obtained by the AP that Miller met with Graber at the high school on Nov. 2, 2021, to discuss his poor grade in his class.

“The poor grade is believed to be the motive behind the murder of Graber which directly connects Miller,” Jefferson County Attorney Chauncey Moulding and Assistant Iowa Attorney General Scott Brown said in the filing.

After meeting with Miller, Graber drove her van to the park, where she was known to walk after school. Witnesses later reported seeing her van leave the park less than an hour later with two males in the front seat, the AP reported. The van was left at the end of a rural road, and a witness said they picked up both teenagers as they walked to town on that road, investigators said.

In court Wednesday, Miller’s lawyers argued that police interviews with the teenagers that led to a search warrant, and evidence found with those warrants, should be thrown out, KCCI reported. The defense attorney argued that police did not make an effort to inform Miller’s parents, despite the fact that Miller was 16. The defense has also asked for a Franks hearing, which would determine whether officers lied to obtain a search warrant, the station reported.

Miller’s trial is scheduled for March 20, while Goodale’s is scheduled to begin Dec. 5, the AP reported.

  • NOW
    luther
    Kendrick Lamar x SZA
  • 12:42 pm
    It Feels So Good
    Sonique
  • 12:38 pm
    Birds Of A Feather
    Billie Eilish
View All

Download the Power App!

"Alexa, Play Power Orlando!"

mobile apps

Everything you love about powerorlando.com and more! Tap on any of the buttons below to download our app.

amazon alexa

Enable our Skill today to listen live at home on your Alexa Devices!