On Wednesday, Nov. 15, one of the two Iowa teenagers who killed their Spanish teacher due to a low grade received a life sentence.Continue Reading...
Jeremy Goodale, 18, was found guilty on November 2, 2021, of using a baseball bat to kill Nohema Graber, 66, and was given a life sentence with the chance of parole in 25 years.
Earlier this year, Goodale and Willard Miller, both 17 years old, entered a guilty plea to first-degree murder of their teacher, whom they had stalked in a Fairfield park before beating to death when they were still just 16 years old.
Goodale sobbed while apologizing to the family of the deceased teacher during Wednesday's hearing, dripping blood from his nose.
Teen cries and bleeds from his nose after receiving a life sentence for beating his Spanish teacher to death over unsatisfactory marks.
"Really, really, I apologize. "What I've taken is something that can never be replaced," Goodale sobbed.
"Every day I long to turn back time and stop myself, to stop this pain and loss that I've brought upon everyone," he continued.
According to the prosecution, Graber's poor grade on Miller was the reason the teenagers chose to murder her.
Miller, who was upset that she would not be allowed to take part in a study abroad program, planned the murder, and the two teenagers attacked the teacher in a park that she was known to visit every day.
Teen cries and bleeds from his nose after receiving a life sentence for beating his Spanish teacher to death over unsatisfactory marks.
Judge Shawn Showers said that although Goodale was obviously sorry and didn't think about the consequences, he was a bright young man who could have easily stopped the murder.
The two teenagers were charged as adults, but since they were 16 years old when the crime occurred, they are exempt from Iowa's life in prison without the possibility of parole requirement for first-degree murder convictions.
Ten members of Graber's family provided victim impact statements prior to Goodale's sentencing.
In remarks recited by Tom Graber, Paul, the victim's brother, questioned the sincerity of Goodale's contrition.
Teen cries and bleeds from his nose after receiving a life sentence for beating his Spanish teacher to death over unsatisfactory marks.
Tom Graber remarked, "I must say your actions toward me undercut that." You're an adult now. Even though you are older than eighteen, your attorney is fighting for you to avoid punishment for this heinous crime. I don't think that sounds like regret.
Miller was given a life sentence in jail with a 35-year parole window in July.
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