Attorney’s office seeks to protect public while ensuring ‘fair and just outcome’

FAIRFIELD — During Monday night’s Fairfield Community School District Board of Directors, board president Christi Welsh read a memo that Assistant Jefferson County Attorney Pat McAvan sent to the board.

It was the board’s first meeting since Fairfield High School Spanish teacher Nohema Graber was found dead on Nov. 3, and two FHS students were charged with first degree homicide in the case. McAvan said his office was working closely with the Department of Criminal Investigation, the Attorney General’s Office, Fairfield Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to investigate and prosecute the case.

“An important part of our legal system is ensuring the accused receive a fair trial and have their rights protected,” McAvan wrote in the memo to the board.

McAvan said his office would refrain from answering questions about the case outside of public court documents that would have a “substantial likelihood of prejudicing the accused.” McAvan said law enforcement does not believe there is an ongoing threat to the public. He said that if law enforcement discovers a threat to the public, the public will be notified immediately.

“I know the inability to get answers to specific questions is frustrating, and the search for information and understanding can lead people to unsupported rumors and theories,” the memo read. “Be assured that we are doing our best to protect the public while ensuring a fair and just outcome.”