One of two Iowa teenagers who beat their Spanish teacher to death over a bad grade was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday, blood pouring from his nose in court as he tearfully apologized to his family.
Jeremy Goodale, 18, was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 25 years for his role in the murder of Nohema Graber, 66, with a baseball bat on November 2, 2021.
Goodale and Willard Miller, 17, pleaded guilty earlier this year to the first-degree murder of their teacher, whom they first harassed in a park in Fairfield and then beat to death when they were both just 16 years old.
Goodale had blood running from her nose during Wednesday’s hearing as she sobbed during an apology to the deceased educator’s loved ones.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. What I have taken can never be replaced,” Goodale said, sometimes between sobs.
“Every day I wish I could go back and stop, avoid this loss and this pain that I have caused everyone,” he added.
Jeremy Goodale, 18, had a bloody nose as he was sentenced. Law&Crime Network The teenager was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 25 years. Law and Crime Network
Prosecutors said the teens decided to kill Graber because he had given Miller a bad rating.
Miller, worried about not being able to participate in a study abroad program, planned the murder and the two teenagers ambushed the teacher in a park where she walked daily.
Judge Shawn Showers noted that it was clear Goodale was remorseful and did not consider the repercussions, but that he was a smart boy who could have easily prevented the murder.
The teenagers harassed and killed their teacher Nohema Graber in 2021. Facebook / Nohema Graber
The two teens were charged as adults, but because they were 16 at the time of the murder, they are not subject to Iowa’s requirement that those convicted of first-degree murder serve life in prison without parole.
Before Goodale was sentenced, 10 members of Graber’s family gave victim impact statements.
During statements read by Tom Graber, the brother of the victim’s husband, Paul, questioned the authenticity of Goodale’s remorse.
Goodale appeared to hold back tears as members of Graber’s family read victim impact statements.Law&Crime Network
“I have to say his actions undermined that,” Tom Graber said. “You are an adult now. You are over 18 years old, and yet you have an attorney representing you…arguing on your behalf to escape punishment for this horrible crime. “That doesn’t seem like remorse to me.”
In July, Miller was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 35 years.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn