Teen charged with murder of Fairfield teacher granted last-minute request

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Fairfield, IA-  A Fairfield teenager charged with the murder of a high school Spanish teacher is making a last-minute request that prosecutors believe could delay his trial.

17-year-old Willard Miller is one of two teens charged with the November 2021 murder of Fairfield High School teacher Nohema Graber.  Miller is being tried as an adult.

TV station KTVO reports that Miller is requesting new expert witnesses at the state’s expense, about a month ahead of his intended trial date of April 21st.  The judge has said he will grant the motion.

Miller is requesting a crime scene analyst, a digital forensic expert, a social psychologist, an investigator, and a clinical psychologist, which would cost about $34,500.

The state argues there is no evidence to explain the lateness of the request.

A second hearing is set for March 29th regarding a motion to suppress evidence.