An Iowa teenager was sentenced to life in prison for killing a Spanish teacher, an immigrant from Mexico after his friend received a bad grade in her class.
He and his partner stalked the woman and beat her down with a bat two years ago.
Now 18, Jeremy Goodale will be 43 years old before receiving a chance at parole.
Goodale pleaded guilty to helping his friend Willard Miller kill Nohema Graber, a 66-year-old teacher at Fairfield High School, on Nov. 2, 2021. Years after her death, the two pleaded guilty to first-degree murder charges in April 2023.
Both teens were charged as adults. However, because they were 16 when the murder was committed, neither was subjected to an Iowa requirement that those convicted of first-degree murder serve life without parole.
During the sentencing hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 15, video captured a distressed Goodale bleeding from his nose and filled with emotions before he was sentenced to life in prison with a chance for parole after 25 years.
He offered an apology to Graber’s family.
“I’m sorry, truly sorry. What I’ve taken can never be replaced,” Goodale sobbed, as The Associated Press reported. “Every day, I wish I could go back and stop myself, prevent this loss and this pain that I’ve caused everyone.”
The presiding judge, Shawn Showers, said that he believed Goodale was truly remorseful but did not contemplate the consequences of taking Graber’s life. Still, the judge said Goodale was smart enough to have prevented the tragic and brutal death.
Graber’s brother, one of 10 relatives who gave victim impact statements, said he did not believe Goodale’s remorse was real.
“I must say your actions to me undercut that. 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,” the brother said.
Goodale and Miller…
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