Fairfield teens denied bond reduction

Two Fairfield teens accused of killing high school Spanish Teacher Nohema Graber were denied in their attempts to lower their $1 million bail.

“Upon considering the factors … disclosed by the record, the Court finds that bail shall remain as previously fixed in the amount of $1,000,000.00, Cash Only,” the ruling from Judge Joel Yates said in the decision for both Willard Miller and Jeremy Goodale. “In addition to the posting of the required bond, the defendant shall be subject to pretrial-release supervision by the Eighth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services.”

Assistant Iowa Attorney General Scott Brown had argued against lowering the bail during the hearings.

“When you’re determining conditions under subsection two, there’s a number of things that you can look at,” Brown said during Goodale’s hearing. “The brutal nature of this crime, what the defendant engaged in that brought about Ms. Graber’s death, far outweighs any of those factors. A high bond in this case is appropriate based upon the circumstances.”

Attorneys for the defendants disagreed, saying bond could be lowered with strings attached like GPS monitoring.

“All of the arguments made by the state go to the nature of the charge, and by that argument no Class A felony would have the ability for bail or for bond,” Attorney Christine Branstad said, representing Miller. “With the assumption of innocence, then we look to whether there are options other than detention to ensure appearance.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com