A teen who beat his teacher to death with a classmate confessed his sorrow at her death ahead of being handed a life sentence, before his nose started to bleed profusely.
Jeremy Goodale, 18, was 16-years-old when he and classmate Willard Miller were arrested in connection with the murder of their Spanish teacher, Nohema Graber, in November 2021.
Graber’s body was found at Chautauqua City Park in Fairfield, Iowa, in November and the two teens were charged as adults.
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The pair had attacked Graber after she had given Miller a bad grade that would prevent him from being able to participate in a study abroad program, according to the prosecution.
The pair had stalked their teacher and ambushed her while she took her daily walk in Fairfield Park and beat the 66-year-old to death with a baseball bat.
After killing her, prosecution said the two students used a wheelbarrow to move her body to a nearby railroad track, covered her body with a tarp and placed the wheelbarrow on top of her.
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Groveling to the court ahead of his sentence, Goodale said: “I know my words will never be enough.
“To Ms. Graber and all my family, I'm truly sorry. And dad. I’m sorry that I let you down in so many ways.”
After he made his apology while crying, Goodale’s nose began to bleed profusely.
The judge, Shawn Showers, commended the teen for his cooperation during the investigation before handing him life in prison with a minimum of 25 years before he is eligible for parole.
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Earlier this year in July, Miller, who prosecution alleged was the mastermind behind the killing, was sentenced to serve 35 years in prison before being eligible for parole.
Graber’s brother-in-law, Tom Graber, explained how devastated his family had been following her death. Most notably, the victim’s husband, died of cancer shortly after her murder.
He also questioned the authenticity of Goodale’s apology.
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“Murdering a teacher to avoid an F, was apparently enough for you to go along with the crime,” he said.
“You’re now an adult. You’re over the age of 18, and yet you have your counsel to represent you... arguing on your behalf to escape punishment for this horrific crime.
"That doesn’t sound like remorse to me.”
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The victim’s other brother-in-law, Jim Graber appeared to be more forgiving and said: “I do want you to know I pray you will continue your journey to find God and I pray for your safety and salvation.”
Gerrard Kaonga