Two Iowa Juveniles Killed Spanish Teacher After Receiving Poor Grades

The Des Moines Register reported that prosecutors have filed a court document Tuesday alleging a possible motive. The document, acquired by Inside Edition, was filed by prosecutors in response to motions by the defense and ahead of a Wednesday hearing when the court judge will hear arguments on whether to suppress any of the proofs against both 17-year-old teenagers, Willard Miller and Jeremy Goodale, who is charged with killing high school Spanish teacher Nohema Graber, in Fairfield, Iowa, last November,

The minors will be tried as adults and each will be facing a first-degree murder charge for allegedly beating the 66-year-old educator to death with a baseball bat on November 2, 2021. Her poor body was found the next day under a tarp; The suspects have both pleaded not guilty to the charges they face. The penalty for a first-degree murder conviction in Iowa is life in prison. Further, the Iowa Supreme Court rulings require youngsters convicted of even the most serious crimes to be given an opportunity for parole.

The court document filed by the Jefferson county attorney, Chauncey Moulding, and Scott Brown, assistant Iowa attorney general, stated that the bad grade is believed to be the main motive behind the murder of the teacher which directly connects Miller.

"Real killers were a roving group of masked kids"

On the other hand, Miller initially denied any involvement in the educator's appearance but later admit that he had knowledge of everything but clarified that he did not participate, says the court document obtained by the outlet. The minor added and told the authorities that the "real killers were a roving group of masked kids" and only forced him to provide his wheelbarrow to help move the teacher's body and to drive her van from the park.

Miller is rescheduled for trial on March 20, 2023, in Council Bluffs while Goodale's trial is on December 5, 2022, in Davenport. The outlet had reached out to Christine Branstad, Miller's attorney, for comment but has not heard back. Inside Edition has also reached out to Allen Cook, Goodale's attorney, and a public defender, for comment but unfortunately has not heard back.

Sadly, some students feel pressure to attain good grades because they want to please either their parents or teacher. The causes of peer pressure may include trying to fit in, low self-esteem, fear of rejection, and at most times the necessity to feel safety and security from their peers, per Dunitask.

How peer pressure can affect one's behavior

The teenage years can be tough as there would be people who would become a bad influence on you and can make you do things that are against the school policies and even laws in the country such as pickpocketing; Sometimes a negative circle of friends can make subtle signal even without saying anything at all and would just force one to adapt and do things that the certain group does.

Moreover, grades have certain explicit functions like providing information on student attainment to be able to be an instrument of selection to the next level in the educational system as well as increase the student's motivation to learn. Thus, having a failed grade can have a psychological effect that will cause teens to feel inferior and fear failure, EduBirdie says.