Judge denies defense motions in murder trial

Willard Noble Chaiden Miller and his attorney Christine Branstad during a bond review hearing at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Fairfield, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. Jeremy Everett Goodale and Willard Noble Chaiden Miller have been charged in the killing of Fairfield teacher Nohema Graber. (Zach Boyden-Holmes/Des Moines Register)

FAIRFIELD — District Court Judge Shawn Showers has denied a pair of motions filed by the defense team of Chaiden Miller, one of the two Fairfield teens charged with murdering Nohema Graber.

Showers filed a ruling Monday, Jan. 23 that denies Miller’s attempt to have evidence suppressed. Miller’s defense attorneys argued that evidence that the state plans to present at trial was obtained illegally because law enforcement officers allegedly did not follow certain procedures. For instance, the defense has argued that the arrest warrant for Miller omitted important information, and that the search warrant on Miller’s phone and home were illegal.

The suppression hearing involves a witness who presented SnapChat screenshots to law enforcement offices from the other defendant charged with murder, Jeremy Goodale, that allegedly implicate Miller as having participated in the murder.

Miller’s defense team argued that the arrest warrant for Miller lacked probable cause. Showers disagreed, stating that it was not necessary for law enforcement to include all the evidence they had at the time of the warrant.

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