USA: 2 teenagers formally accused of killing a teacher in Iowa

Two teenagers from southeastern Iowa (USA) were formally charged Friday with first-degree murder and conspiracy for the murder of a high school Spanish teacher, and a judge found there is enough evidence for the case to go to trial.

The Fairfield prosecutor’s office presented the documents with the charges against Willard Noble Chaiden Miller y Jeremy Everett Goodale, both 16 years old. They are accused of killing Nohema Graber, a 66-year-old teacher at Fairfield High School, which they attended. Authorities have not said whether Graber was a teacher for any of the suspects or disclosed any possible motives.

His disappearance was reported on November 2 and his body was found hours later that day in a park in Fairfield where he was known to take daily walks. According to initial court documents, Graber suffered a “Blow to the head.”

In Iowa, prosecutors can present trial information and other documents detailing the allegations, making the initial appearance of defendants unnecessary to face formal charges. The previously scheduled appearances of both teens were canceled for Friday.

The records show that the testimony records were also filed, but were kept sealed, as allowed by Iowa law. The records usually describe a crime in detail significant enough for a judge to approve and delay the filing of the testimony. accused until the trial.

Judge Joel yates said to have reviewed the information and the minutes of the testimonies, and found that “They contain evidence that, if unexplained, (anyway) is sufficient to justify a jury issuing a guilty plea”.

“Satisfied by the statement that this case should go to trial, I approve the information about the trial”, wrote.

Yates set the date for the indictment of Miller and Goodale as Nov. 29. He ordered that the two teens be kept on previously set bail of $ 1 million. Their attorneys have requested a hearing to have their bail reduced, and Yates set it for Nov. 23.

A Goodale attorney declined to comment on the charges, and a lawyer for Miller had not immediately responded to messages.

Graber’s body was discovered hidden under a tarp, a wheelbarrow and railroad ties in Fairfield’s Chautauqua Park, about 95 miles (150 kilometers) southeast of Des Moines.

Police received a tip that Goodale had posted details about the murder planning on social media, according to court documents. According to the writings, the police investigators found clothes that appeared to contain blood stains in the houses of both defendants.

According to the documents, Miller admitted to being in the park when Graber was killed, and to having provided materials to kill her and conceal the murder.