A Fairfield teenager accused of killing a Spanish teacher will have his upcoming trial moved out of Jefferson County.
16-year-old Willard Miller faces charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit a forcible felony. Miller’s attorneys requested a change of venue last month.
In his ruling, Judge Shawn Showers said there is a “substantial likelihood a fair and impartial trial cannot be preserved with a jury selected from Jefferson County.”
The State did not contest Showers’ decision and agreed that with so many community members impacted by 66-year-old Nohema Graber’s death, finding an impartial jury would be unrealistic.
Police say, Miller and Jeremy Goodale, 17, killed Graber with a baseball bat last November in Chautauqua Park in Fairfield.
It is unknown where Miller’s trial will be moved to. In May, Showers denied a request from Miller to move his trial to juvenile court.
Miller’s trial is scheduled for November 1.
