Fairfield Teen Who Killed Teacher Appeals Sentence

FAIRFIELD – Willard Miller, who pleaded guilty to first degree murder last year, has appealed the Iowa Supreme Court to reduce his prison sentence. Miller, along with classmate Jeremy Goodale, carried out the premeditated murder of his Spanish teacher, Nohema Graber, in 2021, when Miller was 16-years-old. Miller was sentenced to life in prison, with possibility of parole after 35 years. Miller’s lawyer, Ella Newell, argued in court that Miller should have received a lighter sentence because he was a juvenile.

“There is an inherent presumption, both that juveniles are categorically immature, but also that juveniles, even those who commit heinous crimes, are capable of rehabilitation,” said Newell. “I believe this court made clear in Majors it's the state's burden in order to present sufficient evidence or overcome that presumption, that a minimum sentence is warranted.”

Timothy Hau, lawyer representing the state of Iowa, argued that the sentence was appropriate, saying “This is an uncommon case, and it's uncommon case of premeditated murder that was planned for two weeks. They even planned and attempted to cover up the crime, and when Mr. Miller was beginning to be confronted with it, he began blaming innocent people for it, hoping it would absolve him of liability.”