Law&Crime Sidebar - The Iowa Teen Who Savagely Murdered His Spanish Teacher Over a Bad Grade

Episode Date: July 10, 2023

The community of Fairfield, Iowa was shocked and heartbroken when beloved high school Spanish teacher Nohema Graber was found murdered in a park in 2021. The culprits were two 16-year-old students, Willard Miller and Jeremy Goodale. Miller recruited Goodale to savagely beat Graber to death with a baseball bat after receiving a bad grade in her class. The killer duo pleaded guilty to the murder ahead of trial. The Law&Crime Network’s Angenette Levy breaks down the horrifying Spanish teacher murder case with Chauncey Moulding, a Jefferson County attorney.PLEASE SUPPORT THE SHOW:Save 10% on your entire POM Pepper Spray order by using code LAWCRIME10 at https://bit.ly/3rkw6gnLAW&CRIME SIDEBAR PRODUCTION:YouTube Management - Bobby SzokePodcasting - Sam GoldbergWriting & Video Editing - Michael DeiningerGuest Booking - Alyssa Fisher & Diane KayeSocial Media Management - Vanessa Bein & Kiera BronsonSUBSCRIBE TO OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Court JunkieThey Walk Among AmericaDevil In The DormThe Disturbing TruthSpeaking FreelyLAW&CRIME NETWORK SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawandcrime/Twitter: https://twitter.com/LawCrimeNetworkFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/lawandcrimeTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/lawandcrimenetworkTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawandcrimeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wondery Plus subscribers can binge all episodes of this Law and Crimes series ad-free right now. Join Wondry Plus in the Wondery app Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Agent Nate Russo returns in Oracle 3, Murder at the Grandview, the latest installment of the gripping Audible Original series. When a reunion at an abandoned island hotel turns deadly, Russo must untangle accident from murder. But beware, something sinister lurks in the grand. views shadows. Joshua Jackson delivers a bone-chilling performance in this supernatural thriller that

will keep you on the edge of your seat. Don't let your fears take hold of you as you dive into this addictive series. Love thrillers with a paranormal twist? The entire Oracle trilogy is available on Audible. Listen now on Audible. That the defendant, Willard, noble, Chathamiller should be sentenced to life with a possibility of parole after 35 years. That's 17-year-old. Miller being sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his Spanish teacher, Noahima Graber. We killed because of a bad grade. We highlight the victim impact statements and talk to the prosecutor who helped put him behind bars. Introducing the next generation of pepper spray. Meet Palm, a new maximum strength self-defense product with a patented modular design, revolutionizing the self-defense industry.

Whether you're carrying the unit on your keys, snapping the unit on your backpack, your keychain, or carrying the unit in your pocket. Palm is the perfect everyday carry accessory. Palm's patented flip-top safety prevents any accidental misfire, and its maximum strength formula provides you with the necessary range and capacity to bring peace of mind to you and your loved ones. Quality, safety, performance, peace of mind. Learn more at palmpeper spray.com. I'm Ann Jeanette Levy. Welcome to Law and Crime's Sidebar Podcast. Willard Miller is a teenager from Iowa, and he is beginning this week serving a life sentence in prison for murder. So many of the cases we cover are senseless, and this one is even more so.

A high school Spanish teacher, 66-year-old Noam McRaber, was likely nearing retirement when Miller and his friend beat her to death over a bad grade. Miller was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after he serves 35 years. That doesn't mean he'll be released at that time. He'll simply be given a chance to appear in front of the parole board to see if he's fit to reenter society. Noamah Graber was a Spanish teacher at Fairfield High School in Fairfield, Iowa. Willard Miller was one of her students. After Miller received a bad grade from Graber, he and his friend Jeremy Gooddale plotted to kill her. According to the state's account of events, Noahma Graber drove to a park in Fairfield after school to go on a walk.

It was something she did often. On November 2nd, 2021, Miller and Gooddale sneaked up on Graber and beat her to death with a baseball bat. Graber's body was found the next day under a tarp, a wheelbarrow, and a railroad tie, just hours after she was reported missing. Less than a day after her body was found, Miller and Gooddale were arrested. Miller and Goodale were only minors at the time, but were charged as adults. Both have pleaded guilty to the crime. At Miller's sentencing hearing, Iowa Department of Criminal Investigations, agent Trent Feletta walked the court through his investigation.

Listen as he explains where he found the murder weapon. And during the search of Miller's residence was any item found that would be consistent with an item that could cause blood force injury. Yes, there was a baseball bat located in the Miller residence. And this is that state's exhibit one of four. Is that correct? That is correct. Where was this exactly in the Miller residence?

It was in Willard Miller's room. behind that chair. So this obviously photo was taken and the chair removed, is that right? You're correct, yes. And I? So just to fast forward a bit, um, Jeremy Goodale was interviewed in this case. Is that right? That's correct. Uh, his interview that would be consistent with the description of this fat as being used to, uh, cause the death, and knowing the graver. Yes, he described the bat that was used as having, like, flames or something on that as you can see in the photo that would coincide with what we're looking

at the photo. This fat would have been submitted to the DCI crime laboratory for DNA analysis. Is that right? That's correct. Did anything come back causative that would have identified it as being directly associated with the death of knowing a graver? No, I think it was speculated that it was cleaned pretty well. The murder weapon was found in Miller's room. So that's as close to a smoking gun as you can get. There was a lot of other evidence of guilt, though, so pleading guilty was likely the best bet for the teenagers. Miller and Gooddale turned on each other after being arrested, claiming that the other did it and they were only an accomplice and didn't actually participate in beating her. But back in April, Jeremy Goodale pleaded guilty to the murder and

explained what exactly happened. On November 2nd of 2021, I met with, Willard Miller at Chautauqua Park. I understood that he had the intent to kill Mrs. Graber. Chaden had brought a bat, among other supplies, to go through with the murder. And after he had struck Nohima Graber, we then moved her off of the trail where I then struck her and she died as a result

Miller changed his story multiple times Agent Ryan Kedley conducted the interview hears him testifying about it how many versions of a story would you say that the cave and spawned for you were in the course of your interview? Well there was certainly multiple versions but within some of the later versions that he provided,

he would add details as I would break down those versions. For example, in addition to what he was doing specifically how those actions were taken. Mr. Miller originally denied having any knowledge about the death of this is where they were great. That's correct. And later on, he talked about

Actually, wouldn't you say the part or portion of her demise, right? Yes, he described a, I guess, an incident where a group of masked individuals numbered somewhere between six and eight had pursued Ms. Graber in Chautauqua Park. Miller described hearing what he described as a thud, and then looking down into Chitaka Park and seeing this group of masked individuals carry some sort of object into the woods, which he had assumed wasn't a spraybird herself. Agent Kedley also went on to say that Willard Miller during the interview was, quote, remarkably relaxed. After the state presented its witnesses and evidence, Judge Showers then asked Miller if he would

like to address the court. Miller then spoke to the court and Graber's family. I would like to take this opportunity to wholeheartedly accept responsibility for the role that I've played in the Marker of Human Graber. I would like to apologize for my actions first and foremost for the family. I'm sincerely sorry for the distress that I caused you in the devastation of the family. In bottom of my heart, I am sorry for your plausible. I'm sorry to hear about Paul Graber. I would also like to apologize to the community. apologize to the community to just the ripple effect that my actions have had everyone that

has affected I would like to apologize to you know I'm a very rich church I know that she was very kind of now that she was very active member there and doing a lot of good things there I'd like to apologize for for what I did and how that affected that I would like to apologize to my family I love you guys so much and I'm I'm really sorry for what I've done. I'm trying to get me back out there soon as I can make up for the last time. I also like to apologize to the Goodale family. I'm sorry for the position that Jeremy's in and we should be best in and I don't think he's out as soon as possible.

Sorry. I know what I did was wrong. was wrong and I accept responsibility for my carelessness for my ignorance. And also I'd like to apologize to the police department and the investigators there for the misinformation I provided back in 2021. After Miller apologized, it was time for the victim impact statements. Noamah's brother-in-law, Tom Graber, spoke about how Noeema met with Willard Miller and his mother about improving his Spanish grade before the murder. Willard J. Miller and his mother met with Noemma at the high school, and their Miller

promised, sought Noemma's help in accomplishing his desire to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country as his older sister had. Noemma agreed to provide further help, help he previously spurned, and Miller promised to exert extra effort and really try hard on his class. His mother described the meaning, as beautiful, full of sweetness, positivity, and promise. All the while, Willard Jaden Miller knew his promise was false, knew he didn't intend to try harder. Instead, he intended to murder Noeema that very afternoon,

and that is exactly what he did. While his Confederate distracted Noeima from the front, Willard Jaden Miller cowardly snuck up behind Neuema and crushed her skull with a metal baseball man. Noema's sister-in-law, Dianne Graber's statement, was then read by the victim witness coordinator, Sarah Harms. Dian's statement touched on who Noema was

and how she was taken from the world far too soon. I loved her rock, solid faith, and so admired the strength and peace that provided for her in the difficulties of life. She was a mighty prayer warrior, and well, as always, looking on me. the bright side of every situation. She made everyone feel like you were part of her family, and she had an encouraging, positive word no matter what was going on. I'm sure she was the same

incredible pillar of light in all areas of life, be it family, church, work, or community. The loss we have all suffered has been a major significance because of this horrific evil, that snuffed out a cherished daughter of the Most High God. I pray her soul fled straight to heaven the very moment her precious head was struck. I had never personally known anyone to be murdered in my 60 years of life, and I will never be able to understand or wrap my head around murder being a legitimate option for bad grades

or how you could ever talk to peer into doing something so heinous to your teacher. Finally, Noamah's son, Christian Graber, delivered his victim impact statement. He spoke directly to Willard Miller. I want to talk to you directly, Shadden. I've got no hate in my heart for you. And I've met her mother on several occasions and we had good conversations. She seems like a decent woman. And I'll always treat her with kindness and respect.

And I mentioned grandmother yesterday with her funeral with my father. And we had decent conversations. and I feel sorry for you, and I really feel sorry for your mother, your grandmother, not your family. They seem like decent people, and I still think that there's a potential for you to become a decent person as well. In the end, Judge Showers gave Willard Miller a life sentence with the possibility of parole after serving 35 years. Joining me to discuss this incredibly disturbing case is Chauncey Molding. He is one of the prosecutors who is working to put these teens in prison. for life for the murder of Noamah Braber. Thanks so much for joining us, Chauncee. We really appreciate it.

My pleasure. Your thoughts on the sentence. I know you all were asking, I think, for 30 years. Parole eligibility, the judge gave 35. Your thoughts on the sentence. Consideration for the defendant taking a last minute plea and saving us from having to uproot the case and take all of our witnesses out to the other side of the state to prosecute the matter. I had not resisted the defendant's motion to change venue in this case. This is a smaller community, about 18,000 residents in the county. And with the victim's position as a teacher, she's either been a first or second level connection to essentially everybody in. So it would have been extremely difficult to cede an unbiased jury that had no knowledge or understanding of parties involved here. So we're going to move this all the way out to

Council Bluffs, about three or four days ahead of time, defense counsel contacted us and basically asked, what can we get here? If my guy admits his responsibility here, what's your recommendation? We had gone back and forth substantially on how much of a minimum would be survivable under the present understanding of how the Iowa Supreme Court has views juvenile homicide defendants. If Mr. Miller, and I'm going to refrain from talking about the Goodale case details, they're all relatively the same, but Mr. Goodale hasn't been sentenced. But with reference to Mr. Miller, our understanding is that a 35-year sentence would have been appropriate, fair, and just, and survivable under the present Supreme Court considerations. In considering his plea of guilty, we had agreed to recommend a 30-year minimum. However, I mean, the judge saw the exact same facts as we did, and all of also apparently viewed 35 years as an appropriate, fair, and just sentence. I feel like justice was done and the right number was reached. And Mr. Miller will be eligible for parole at age 58, I believe.

Not a guarantee for him, but it's certainly appropriate. It's to go before the parole board and plead his case for release. It doesn't mean he will be released. Right. And, you know, nobody knows what the makeup of the parole board is going to be after 35 years. So it could go any number of ways. but juveniles can't serve life sentences in the state of Iowa as the law is presently interpreted. So this is a fair sentence.

Was there any indication as to why he all of a sudden wanted to make a deal, as they say, because, you know, I guess he could have blamed the co-defendant. I know you're not representing him. You were prosecuting him. But, you know, a last-minute plea is always a possibility. That was obviously something you were open to. but was there any indication from the defense team as to why they were willing to to plead? I can't really speak for the defense team's motives, but one of the themes that I noted throughout the entirety of this case from the Miller team is an absolute urgency on trying to keep the grizzly details of this case from public scrutiny.

And you can even see that in the sentencing hearing, they're making objections to the display of evidence of the actual crime scene, of the body of the autopsy and of the reality of the crime that was committed. A two-week trial would have certainly driven home the severity and the grisly details of this case with more authority. So one of their considerations, I imagine, was trying to kind of, well, Mr. Miller will have a life if he gets out after 35 years and having all of the full details available to the public might impact his future. So I think that could have been one of their considerations. Also, state's evidence was damning. So any consideration they could get as far as sentencing goes was another part of their considerations, I imagine. You know, juveniles are prosecuted all of the time for a number of crimes. Many times we can't have a camera in there, so the public doesn't really get to see a lot of juveniles being prosecuted.

But it happens. Juveniles are prosecuted for homicides, sometimes as adults, sometimes not. Have you prosecuted a lot of juveniles for juvenile offenders for homicide? not for first-degree murder and it needs to be underlined and restated these two individuals were adults in all aspects of the law except for sentencing in this case there was a contentious hearing trying to get them waived down to juvenile court but under iowa law any um forcible felony committed over age 16 first degree murder being the principal forcible felony for all aspects of of the law these two individuals were adults but this this type of

crime doesn't happen very often here. The details are horrifying. I mean, a bad grade in a Spanish class. I think every kid can relate to, or every parent who's been a kid or had children can relate to their child not wanting to get a bad grade. But this is taking it beyond the extreme. The details are gruesome. They are horrifying. What impact has this case had on the community there because you said it's a small community. A lot of people probably knew Noema or had her as a teacher at one point in time. I just can't even imagine and just the brutality of this crime. Yeah, obviously just devastated three families and every, every parent and particularly the teachers at the school have been carrying this this weight on their shoulders since November 2nd of

21. Fairfield police, Lieutenant Encela testified at sentencing that this has impacted the community and it'll probably never be the same. But hopefully with this sentencing, we'll be able to start getting past it and move on. Willard Miller made a statement apologizing at the sentencing hearing your thoughts on what he had to say. And did you believe he was genuine? I can't speak for, you know, what was going on in his mind. I did go down one word when he was allocuting and that was he apologized for his carelessness. And that's not what happened here. They stalked her for weeks.

They planned, he planned, and prepared and committed this grievous act. And, you know, careless is, it was a careful thing that they did. I think it would have benefited Mr. Miller and everybody else involved for him to show a little bit more compassion and emotion in that statement. but the statement is what it is. Noema Graber's family was, I assume, on board with the plea deal because this spared them having to go through a trial. Yeah, yeah, we've been in close communication and close contact with the family. One of the just very unfortunate aspects of the timing on this, Noamah's, her husband, expired. He passed five days before, essentially.

sentencing. I mean, he was medically very unwell. He very much wanted to be there, but was not able to make it sentencing. I don't know how easy it would have been for him to get to its five-hour drive to where the trial was going to be. Sparing the family, all of that was certainly a part of our consideration, and they were on board with the resolution of this case. Jeremy Gooddale is scheduled to be sentenced in August. I know you said you don't want to talk about that because the case is technically still pending, but he has pleaded guilty. I've seen that his defense team is trying to delay that hearing. Any word on why that is? It's my understanding they have an expert witness. They have scheduled to testify who is unavailable on the date. We had resisted moving it based primarily on the health of Mr. Graber.

as that is not an issue anymore, I suspect the judge is going to grant the continuance to some future date to allow for the defense to put on whatever witness they want. But in general, the state does resist. We just want to get this thing closed out, but I understand psychological expert witnesses are in high demand. And so I suspect the judge will grant that continuance, but we'll find out. 25 years to life is your, or I guess the life sentence with parole eligibility. after 25 years is what your recommendation is, or at least parole eligibility after 25 years.

I know he was cooperating. He was likely going to testify against Willard Miller. Still, though, I mean, this is a heinous, heinous crime. And it was on social media. It was documented what they did. I mean, they bragged about this. So 25-year parole eligibility, you obviously believe that's fair, given his cooperation. His cooperation was a factor. There were a number of factors that went into the state's consideration of Mr. Goodale, receiving a lower recommendation from the state and Mr. Miller. At the end of the day, Mr. Miller was a student of Mrs. Graber. He was the one failing the class. He was the one that recruited Mr. Goodale. He was the one that brought the weapons and the state's evidence is that Mr. Miller was the one that struck the first. But for

Chaden Miller, Mrs. Graber would still be alive. I don't think you can say that about Jeremy Goodall. Well, Chauncey Moulding, Jefferson County Attorney, thank you so much for joining us. We really appreciate it. It's a horrible case, and we appreciate your time. Thank you, Ms. Levy. That's it for this edition of Law and Crime Sidebar podcast. You can listen to and download Sidebar on Apple, Spotify, Google, and wherever else you get your podcast. And of course, you can always watch it on Law and Crimes YouTube channel. I'm Anjanette Levy, and we will see you next time. You can binge all episodes of this law and crime series ad free right now on Wondery Plus. Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.