Current:Home > StocksIowa teen who killed teacher must serve 35 years before being up for parole -WealthPro Academy
Iowa teen who killed teacher must serve 35 years before being up for parole
View
Date:2025-04-15 21:56:51
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa teen who pleaded guilty to beating his high school Spanish teacher to death with a baseball bat must serve 35 years in prison before the possibility of parole, the state’s high court reaffirmed Friday.
Willard Miller was 16 when he and another teen killed Nohema Graber, a 66-year-old teacher at Fairfield High School, in 2021. Miller was sentenced last year to life in prison with a mandatory minimum number of years served, but he appealed his sentence to the Iowa Supreme Court, arguing it’s unconstitutional to sentence juvenile offenders to a minimum term before parole eligibility.
The state Supreme Court on Friday unanimously upheld the district court’s decision, finding that the court’s precedent explicitly allows mandatory minimums for juvenile offenders so long as the unique factors of their case are considered. The justices said the district court judge applied sentencing factors appropriately.
The Iowa Constitution does, however, prohibit sentencing juvenile offenders to life without the possibility of parole.
Miller and Jeremy Goodale, who was sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility after 25 years, killed Graber on Nov. 2, 2021, in a park where the teacher routinely walked after school. Prosecutors said the teens were angry at Graber because of a bad grade she had given Miller.
The two were charged as adults, but because of their age they were not subject to a mandatory sentence of life without parole for first-degree murder.
At his sentencing hearing, Miller accepted responsibility and apologized. His lawyers argued he should be eligible for immediate parole. Lawyers for the state recommended a minimum of 30 years.
Fairfield, a city of 9,400 people, is about 100 miles (160 kilometers) southeast of Des Moines.
veryGood! (721)
Related
- 'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
- Republicans appear no closer to choosing a new leader after candidate forum
- Chinese carmaker Geely and Malaysia’s Proton consider EV plant in Thailand, Thai prime minister says
- Family Dollar issues huge recall for over-the-counter drugs, medical devices in 23 states
- Tony Hawk drops in on Paris skateboarding and pushes for more styles of sport in LA 2028
- Prince Harry, Duchess Meghan speak out on social media's affect on mental health: 'Children are dying'
- Save On Must-Have Problem-Solving Finds From Amazon's October Prime Day
- 5 Things podcast: Israel intensifies assault on Gaza, Americans unaccounted for
- Former Milwaukee hotel workers charged with murder after video shows them holding down Black man
- Keith Urban shares the secret to a great song ahead of Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Ceremony
Ranking
- Audit: California risked millions in homelessness funds due to poor anti-fraud protections
- Entrance to Baltimore Washington International Airport closed due to law enforcement investigation
- A company cancels its plans to recover more Titanic artifacts. Its renowned expert died on the Titan
- Oklahoma man who spent 30 years in prison for rape is exonerated after DNA testing: I have never lost hope
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Diane Kruger Shares Rare Video of Her and Norman Reedus' 4-Year-Old Daughter Nova
- A treacherous descent? What will the Fed do next?
- Israel bombs Gaza for fourth day as Hamas, Palestinian civilians, wait for next phase in war
Recommendation
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
Capitol riot prosecutors seek prison for former Michigan candidate for governor
Biden administration proposes rule to ban junk fees: Americans are fed up
Cold comfort? Americans are gloomy on the economy but a new forecast from IMF signals hope
Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
Chinese carmaker Geely and Malaysia’s Proton consider EV plant in Thailand, Thai prime minister says
Illinois woman pleads guilty but mentally ill in stabbing deaths of her boyfriend’s parents
2 women found alive after plane crashes in Georgia