(Radio Iowa) – Two southeast Iowa teenagers are facing lengthy prison sentences after a 66-year-old woman was beaten to death with a bat in 2021. Appearing in court separately, Willard Miller and Jeremy Goodale, the two Fairfield teens accused of the first-degree murder of Fairfield teacher Nohema Graber, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in a Jefferson County courtroom today. Miller was set to go on trial for the crime in Council Bluffs when his attorney requested a change of venue due to publicity in the case, but then Miller learned that Goodale was planning to testify against him. Judge Shawn Showers asked Miller to confirm the plea deal.

Graber’s beaten body was found hidden under a tarp, wheelbarrow and railroad ties at Chautauqua Park where she took daily walks. Witnesses told investigators they saw the two males driving in Graber’s van less than an hour after she arrived at the park. Sentencing in the case will be at a later date. According to court documents, Miller was upset about a bad grade Graber gave him in Spanish class. Both suspects were 16 at the time of the crime. Miller is now 17 and Goodale is 18.

Reports say prosecutors will recommend a 30-year prison sentence for Miller, and 25 years for Goodale.