Prosecutors say Iowa students killed teacher over bad grade

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The two students accused of killing Iowa teacher Nohema Graber were motivated by a bad grade, according to a court document filed ahead of their trials.

Prosecutors say Willard Miller and Jeremy Goodale were upset with Graber’s teaching methods and the fact that her class was bringing down Miller’s GPA.

Miller met with Graber at the school in Fairfield, about 115 miles southeast of Des Moines, to discuss his grade.

Then the teacher drove to a nearby park where she was known to take walks.

Her van was seen leaving the area less than an hour later with two people inside.

The van was later found at the end of a rural road. A witness said that after a phone call from Goodale, they picked up Goodale and Miller on that road.

On Wednesday, a judge heard arguments on whether four search warrants were obtained legally.

Graber’s body was found on Nov. 3, 2021, hidden under a tarp, wheelbarrow and railroad ties in the park.

Nohema Graber was 66 when she was killed.

Goodale’s trial is set for Dec. 5 in Davenport. Miller’s is scheduled to begin March 20 in Council Bluffs.

Both boys, now 17, will be tried as adults.