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Crime & Courts

Hamilton testifies, experts challenge portions of state’s evidence before deliberations

Hamilton testifies, experts challenge portions of state’s evidence before deliberations

By Dani McCulley Following the conclusion of the state’s case, defense attorneys Nicole Watt and Konrad Kamizelich called several witnesses in support of Jacob Hamilton’s claim that he acted in self defense during the July 2024 shooting death of Zachary Drinovsky. Prior to presenting its witnesses, the defense

Jury finds Jacob Hamilton guilty of willful injury in 2024 Hudson shooting, acquits on murder charge

Jury finds Jacob Hamilton guilty of willful injury in 2024 Hudson shooting, acquits on murder charge

By Dani McCulley A Black Hawk County jury has acquitted Jacob Leigh Hamilton of first-degree murder, instead finding him guilty of the lesser charge of willful injury causing serious injury in the July 2024 shooting of Zachary Drinovsky. The verdict was delivered Friday morning following approximately 10 hours of deliberation,

Defense challenges reconstruction testimony as jurors view recovered firearm, Ring footage during fifth day of Hamilton murder trial

Defense challenges reconstruction testimony as jurors view recovered firearm, Ring footage during fifth day of Hamilton murder trial

By Dani McCulley Competing forensic interpretations took center stage during the fifth day of the Hamilton murder trial on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Jurors in the first-degree murder trial of Jacob Leigh Hamilton heard continued testimony Wednesday from Iowa State Patrol Trooper Eric Payne, with much of the day focused

Hamilton murder trial continues with cross-examination, scene mapping analysis

Hamilton murder trial continues with cross-examination, scene mapping analysis

Jurors in the first-degree murder trial of Jacob Leigh Hamilton heard continued testimony Tuesday, May 19, 2026 from Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office Detective Mark Herbst, with much of the day focused on cross-examination regarding Hamilton’s recorded police interview and investigators’ comparison of witness statements against physical evidence

Forensics, Defendant's Interview Highlight Hamilton Trial Day 3

Forensics, Defendant's Interview Highlight Hamilton Trial Day 3

By Dani McCulley Jurors in the first-degree murder trial of Jacob Hamilton heard testimony Monday, May 18, 2026 from a firearms examiner with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the state medical examiner as attorneys continued examining physical evidence connected to the July 2024 shooting death of Zachary Drinovsky

Witness cross-examination, crime scene evidence shape second day of Hamilton murder trial

Witness cross-examination, crime scene evidence shape second day of Hamilton murder trial

By Dani McCulley Jurors in the first-degree murder trial of Jacob Hamilton heard continued testimony Friday from a key witness and multiple law enforcement officers regarding the July 2024 shooting death of Zachary Drinovsky in Hudson. Attorneys focused heavily on shifting prior statements, crime scene documentation, and physical evidence collected

Jurors see graphic bodycam footage, hear opening statements as Hamilton murder trial begins

Jurors see graphic bodycam footage, hear opening statements as Hamilton murder trial begins

By Dani McCulley Opening statements began Thursday morning in the first-degree murder trial of Jacob Leigh Hamilton at the Black Hawk County Courthouse in Waterloo. Hamilton is charged in connection with the July 14, 2024, shooting death of 35-year-old Zachary Drinovsky at the Wagon Wheel Apartments in Hudson. During opening