Teen Receives Life Sentence for Murdering Spanish Teacher
Willard Miller, one of two Iowa teenagers who pleaded guilty to beating their high school Spanish teacher to death with a baseball bat, has been sentenced to life in prison with a possibility of parole after 35 years. The sentencing hearing included evidence of premeditation, such as emails, interviews, and social media messages. Ten victim impact statements were shared, including one from the victim's son, expressing hope for Miller's potential for redemption. The sentencing comes after the burial of the victim's ex-husband, who had wanted to share a victim impact statement. The other teenager's sentencing hearing is scheduled for August, with a request for a delay for psychiatric evaluation.