Two Iowa teens plead not guilty in Spanish teacher’s murder
A pair of teens have pleaded not guilty to murdering their Spanish teacher, whose body was discovered in a park not far from their Iowa high school.
Willard Miller and Jeremy Goodale, both 16, have both been charged with first-degree homicide and conspiracy to commit homicide in the death of Nohema Graber, a beloved educator at Fairfield High School, where they were both students. They entered their pleas in connection with the slaying on Monday.
According to arraignment documents also filed Monday, the suspects waived their right to a speedy trial, meaning prosecutors are not required to try them within 90 days of formal charges being filed Nov. 12.
Graber was first reported missing on Nov. 2. Her remains were found later the same day beneath a tarp in Chautauqua Park, a spot where she would often enjoy her daily strolls.
Both suspects will be tried as adults, and they are currently being held on $1 million bond. Their attorneys earlier this month said the bond should be lowered and that the boys should be released to be their parents, arguing they have no means to flee the area.
Prosecutors, on the other hand, have contended the bail amount should be raised, describing Graber’s death as the “extremely brutal murder of an innocent person.”
Authorities have previously said the killing appeared to be premeditated and that the teens posted about it on social media.
Goodale and Miller both have pretrial hearings set on March 21. A judge will rule on the matter of bond later this week.
With News Wire Services
