Iowa teen gets life in prison for killing Spanish teacher over bad grade

FAIRFIELD, Iowa — A judge Wednesday sentenced 18-year-old Jeremy Goodale to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years for his role in killing a high school Spanish teacher with a baseball bat.

District Judge Shawn Showers said this wasn’t a “typical” murder case — “This is beyond the pale.”

Nohema Graber, 66, was killed in a “brutal fashion” by her two students — Goodale and Willard Chaiden Miller, both then 16, Showers pointed out during sentencing. The crime was “heinous and cruel.”

Miller planned it, but both teens stalked Graber to learn her daily routine and then fatally assaulted her with a baseball bat.

According to testimony at sentencing, Goodale was the last person Nohema Graber saw before she was beaten to death.

Goodale, who said he was wearing a mask, told investigators he came toward Graber, 66, as she was on her regular walk in Chatauqua Park in Fairfield after school Nov. 2, 2021.

When she saw him, Goodale pulled up his mask and smiled to reassure her everything was OK, as Miller came up behind her and swung the bat, hitting her in the back of the head, Goodale said in a videotaped police interview.

Goodale, who was going to be the lookout only, then dragged Graber’s body off the trail. When he heard her breathing, he struck her in the head five more times with the bat to make sure she was dead.

Showers, who considered all the juvenile factors he is required in sentencing a teen, said there were mitigating factors in the case, including Goodale’s genuine remorse, which was unlike “your co-defendant.” He also said Goodale’s plea of guilty and acceptance of responsibility also was a mitigating factor.

However, the “heinous and cruel” aspect of the crime was an aggravating factor. Also, he said, Goodale could have stopped the crime from happening — “which may be the hardest thing you have to live with” — if he wouldn’t have agreed to help Miller.

Miller planned it because he was mad at Graber because she was failing him in Spanish and he had planned to study abroad and needed a good grade in the class, according to evidence. Goodale went along with Miller because they were friends and Goodale didn’t want Miller to think less of him.

Allen Cook, Goodale’s lawyer, asked the court to sentence his client to life but without a mandatory minimum to serve.

Cook asked the judge to consider the testimony of Mark Cunningham, a clinical and forensic psychologist, who said Goodale was less functionally mature than other 16-year-olds and that his mental health and substance abuse impacted his decision-making.

The prosecution asked for the 25 years minimum, saying Goodale had the possibility to rehabilitate.

Goodale, during sentencing, seemed to make a heartfelt apology to Graber’s family, his family, Fairfield High School students and the Fairfield community.

“I want to say I’m grateful for this chance to speak my piece,” Goodale, tearing up throughout his statement, said. “I offer my sincerest apologies to the Graber family, but I know my words will never be enough.

" I’ve had time to think on what to say, and I’m sorry. Truly sorry. What I’ve taken can never be replaced. Every day I wish I could go back and stop myself and prevent this loss and pain that I’ve caused everyone — the community and outside of it.

“I didn’t know how taking Mrs. Graber’s life would affect” her family, he continued. “I can’t comprehend losing a loved one in such an awful way. I’m sorry I didn’t stop this from happening in the first place. I’m so sorry.”

He also apologized to Graber’s family for letting them down “in so many ways.”

“Two years ago, I made the worst decision of my life and take full responsibility for what I did. I can never give back what I’ve taken, but I hope this situation doesn’t end as tragically as it began and I hope someday something positive can come from this tragedy.”

Tom Graber, Graber’s brother-in-law, said her death had an “enormous impact on her family and the community.”

Goodale robbed the family and her husband, Paul — “the love of her life” — of 35 more years of her life.

He said Nohema Graber’s death “hastened Paul’s premature death.” Paul Graber, who died in June of cancer, became “deeply depressed” after the murder and he delayed treatment for cancer, which his wife wouldn’t have let happen, he noted.

Tom Graber and other family member said Nohema was a “remarkable” woman who after graduation in Mexico became a flight attendant and put herself through flight school to became one of the few woman licensed to fly commercial jets in Mexico.

When her husband became disabled, Nohema, a full-time mom of three, went back to school to get her teaching degree to support the family.

Tom Graber doubted Goodale’s remorse because he allowed his lawyer to argue for less prison time, and because the killing contradicts that remorse. Goodale, he said, could have walked away.

Sister-in-law Marilyn Fuest, in a statement read by the victim/witness coordinator, said Nohema Graber would befriend anyone. She “genuinely cared about everyone.” She loved people and “treasured” her faith and relied on God. She knew how to love and was an “absolute blessing.”

Sister-in-law Barbara Graber said in a statement read by victim/witness coordinator, called Nohema “warm and fearless.” Nohema loved being a mother, but she stepped up to support their family when her husband couldn’t. Barbara Graber told Goodale his actions directly impacted Paul’s life.

Brother-in-law Jim Graber told Goodale he should have known not to kill someone and that he could have said no at any time.

“You have a heavy burden to carry for this horrific action,” he said, adding he hoped Goodale “finds God and stays on the correct path.”

Christian Graber, Nohema’s son, told Goodale that he knows his mother would want the best for him. He told Goodale that he had hugged Goodale’s sisters and told them he hoped the best for their brother.

Christian, who talked to Goodale a few weeks ago, said he believed what Goodale told him and that he hoped he would move forward and “redeem” himself.

Sister-in-law Deanne Graber, in statement read by coordinator, said Nohema was one of the sweetest souls and everyone was better for knowing her and being loved by her.

“Hundreds of family members and thousands of friends miss Nohema,” she said.