FAIRFIELD – District Court Judge Shawn Showers handed down a life sentence with a 25-year minimum before probation could be considered to Jeremy Goodale, one of the two Fairfield teenagers who murdered Nohema Graber in 2021.

Showers read his judgment at the conclusion of a two-day sentencing hearing Wednesday afternoon at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Fairfield. Showers weighed two days of testimony that included a taped interview Goodale gave to police in February of this year in which he recounted how he and Chaiden Miller murdered Graber with a baseball bat while she was walking along the trail in Fairfield’s Chautauqua Park on Nov. 2, 2021.

Showers said that he considered both mitigating and aggravating factors in arriving at his judgment, and considered sentences handed down in similar cases. However, he said that this was not a “typical” case involving a juvenile murderer.

“This case is beyond the pale,” Showers said. “Fairfield is a tight-knit, close community, and this entire community was shaken by your actions, Mr. Goodale, and your co-defendant’s actions, Mr. Miller. I do find that an aggravating factor that requires accountability.”

Miller was sentenced to life in prison with a 35-year minimum. During his sentencing hearing in July and also during Goodale’s sentencing this week, the court heard testimony that Miller was the one who concocted the plan to murder Graber, and asked Goodale to help him about two weeks before Nov. 2, 2021. Miller was failing Graber’s Spanish class at Fairfield High School, and this was going to prevent him from studying abroad in Spain the following year.

Showers acknowledged that, even though Goodale was not the one who planned the murder, he admitted to hitting Graber with a baseball bat five times to ensure she was dead after Miller struck her first. Goodale also admitted to helping Miller conceal Graber’s body under a wheelbarrow near the railroad trucks on the north side of the park.

“I don’t think you have the same culpability as Mr. Miller. It’s less, but still, without your help, he couldn’t have done it,” Showers said. “Mrs. Graber was killed in a brutal fashion by two of her own students.”

Allen Cook, Goodale’s lawyer, asked the court to sentence his client to life but without a mandatory minimum to serve. Cook asked the judge to consider the testimony of Mark Cunningham, a clinical and forensic psychologist, who said Goodale was less functionally mature than other 16-year-olds and that his mental health and substance abuse impacted his decision-making.

The prosecution asked for the 25 years minimum, saying Goodale had the possibility to rehabilitate.

When Goodale was given a chance to stand and address the court, he apologized to Graber’s family for letting them down “in so many ways.”

"Two years ago, I made the worst decision of my life and take full responsibility for what I did,” he said. “I can never give back what I've taken, but I hope this situation doesn't end as tragically as it began and I hope someday something positive can come from this tragedy."

The final day of sentencing gave Graber’s family members a chance to share victim impact statements, about how the void left by Goodale’s actions has affected them and will continue to affect them.

Tom Graber, Graber’s brother-in-law, said her death had an “enormous impact on her family and the community.”

Goodale robbed the family and her husband, Paul — “the love of her life” — of 35 more years of her life.

He said Nohema Graber’s death “hastened Paul’s premature death.” Paul Graber, who died in June of cancer, became “deeply depressed” after the murder and he delayed treatment for cancer, which his wife wouldn’t have let happen, he noted.

Tom Graber and other family member said Nohema was a “remarkable” woman who after graduation in Mexico became a flight attendant and put herself through flight school to became one of the few women licensed to fly commercial jets in Mexico.

When her husband became disabled, Nohema, a full-time mom of three, went back to school to get her teaching degree to support the family.

Tom Graber doubted Goodale’s remorse because he allowed his lawyer to argue for less prison time, and because the killing contradicts that remorse. Goodale, he said, could have walked away.

Sister-in-law Marilyn Fuest, in a statement read by the victim and witness coordinator, said Nohema Graber would befriend anyone. She “genuinely cared about everyone.” She loved people and “treasured” her faith and relied on God. She knew how to love and was an “absolute blessing.”

Sister-in-law Barbara Graber said in a statement read by the victim and witness coordinator, called Nohema “warm and fearless.” Nohema loved being a mother, but she stepped up to support their family when her husband couldn’t. Barbara Graber told Goodale his actions directly impacted Paul’s life.

Brother-in-law Jim Graber told Goodale he should have known not to kill someone and that he could have said no at any time.

“You have a heavy burden to carry for this horrific action,” he said, adding he hoped Goodale “finds God and stays on the correct path.”

Christian Graber, Nohema’s son, told Goodale that he knows his mother would want the best for him. He told Goodale that he had hugged Goodale’s sisters and told them he hoped the best for their brother.

Christian, who talked to Goodale a few weeks before the sentencing hearing, said he believed what Goodale told him and that he hoped he would move forward and “redeem” himself.

Sister-in-law Deanne Graber said in a written statement that Nohema was one of the sweetest souls and everyone was better for knowing her and being loved by her.

“Hundreds of family members and thousands of friends miss Nohema,” she said.

In addition to his prison sentence, Goodale will be required to pay restitution in the amount of $150,000 to Graber’s heirs.