Judge denies defense motion in Fairfield murder trial

FAIRFIELD — A District Court Judge has denied a Fairfield teen’s request to file a subpoena under seal to obtain information his attorney argues may be exculpatory in his trial for murder.

Judge Shawn Showers denied two requests made by Christine Branstad, a defense attorney representing Willard Noble Chaiden Miller, 17, who is charged with the murder of Fairfield resident Nohema Graber in November 2021. Showers filed his ruling Wednesday, Feb. 15 after Branstad had motioned to request certain evidence, but did not want to reveal the evidence to the state ahead of time because it would reveal the defense’s trial strategy.

Showers wrote that such a request, obtaining evidence under seal, is only admissible in “exceptional circumstances,” and that the situation Branstad presented to the court fell short of that standard.

Jefferson County Attorney Chauncey Moulding, representing the prosecution, argued in a written filing that disclosing trial strategy is not an “extraordinary circumstance” that would merit filing evidence under seal.

Miller is scheduled to stand trial on March 20 in Council Bluffs.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com